Upgrading the motherboard of a pre-built comp.

[xfloggingkylex]

Hey, a friend of mine is looking to upgrade his computer with basically all new parts, motherboard, cpu and memory. The thing is, his Acer still works alright with vista 32. The thing we are both wondering is whether the vista install from a prebuilt system like an Acer will install after you change the motherboard, or is the install somehow connected to the motherboard requiring us to buy a new OS.

Sorry if this isn't clear, if you need any more info just let me know. Thank you.

 

[Guest]

Vista works in the same way as XP did... In other words it sends DRM information back over the net during installation. If you've been using the system for more than 30 days then you will have had to send this DRM info back to MS. This info contains things like CPU, mobo type, chipset, GFX card info to MS in order to prevent illegal installations. Therefore locking the CD key to that particular hardware setup.

I'm afraid you're outta luck there m8.

 

[xfloggingkylex]

Thank, I was fearing that was the case.