OEM Question?

So, Im finnaly making the move from XP to 7, but Im just wondering what the deal is with OEM versions of windows. Im planning on upgrading my Motherboard, cpu, ram and all the rest over the year, but not all at once. Im just wondering if I get a copy of 7 now, install it on my current build, and then do all these upgrade every few months, will I still be able to use it with the new hardware. Reason I ask if because I thought OEM is locked too the hardware its activated on, am I correct?

So, Im finnaly making the move from XP to 7, but Im just wondering what the deal is with OEM versions of windows. Im planning on upgrading my Motherboard, cpu, ram and all the rest over the year, but not all at once. Im just wondering if I get a copy of 7 now, install it on my current build, and then do all these upgrade every few months, will I still be able to use it with the new hardware. Reason I ask if because I thought OEM is locked too the hardware its activated on, am I correct?

Kamuikankatsu

No clue, but you can always call them up and tell them youre just upgrading your computer. Is there a price difference between retail and oem?

"Windows OEM licensing is tied to the system it's installed on - if something happens to that system and it no longer works, the license dies with the system. In general a motherboard replacement is regarded as a "death of license" event.

A retail copy license allows moving the Windows software to a "new" computer, which a computer with a newer motherboard would be regarded as. So a retail license is what you want. Not an upgrade because the upgrade rights would die with the OEM copy but a full copy."

Some quick googling through some tech help archieves @ windows website. You can however reinstall as many times as like but the motherboard has to be same... well there you have it.

huge price different, retail is around $300, oem about $140.

I know in the past with this current computer I got it pre-built with an oem version of XP. Iv upgraded everything in the this, other then the case and psu and Im still using the same copy of XP i got. Im just curious if 7 will be any different, as I was certain OEM software wasnt supposed to work with hardware it wasnt originally installed on.

Ah, that pretty much sounds the exact same as how my xp copy work now, I just format my HDD with windows and do a fresh install. So with any luck I'll be able to pick up the OEM version without the need of purchasing other hardware with it, if not, I suppose I'll be waiting till I can afford enough hardware to get it pre installed onto.

"Windows OEM licensing is tied to the system it's installed on - if something happens to that system and it no longer works, the license dies with the system. In general a motherboard replacement is regarded as a "death of license" event.

A retail copy license allows moving the Windows software to a "new" computer, which a computer with a newer motherboard would be regarded as. So a retail license is what you want. Not an upgrade because the upgrade rights would die with the OEM copy but a full copy."

Some quick googling through some tech help archieves @ windows website. You can however reinstall as many times as like but the motherboard has to be same... well there you have it.

Bikouchu35