If you have a Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer, etc. The you contractually agree along with the purchase of the system that the copy of Windows is tied to the motherboard. If you throw out the computer, the OS must go along with it. These companies do this in order to keep you into their walled garden.
If you purchased the Windows OEM disc, then the rules are different. Microsoft intends for you tohave the installation on one and only one machine. You can transfer the license to as many machines as you want as long as its only installed on one machine at a time.
Microsfot uses a point system in order to attempt to identify if its installed on multiple machines. Each time Windows updates it checks the system creates a score, and if it matches the previous score it assumes its the same system. If it doesn't then it gets flagged. If the change is drastic (i.e. a whole new system), then thats ok. You'll usually have no problems.
If multiple changes are detected frequently, then you can have problems activating as it appears as if your copy is on multiple machines as each time it updates it detects a new system.
In most cases you cna usually call Microsoft and they'll reset the score system so that you can activate.
This mechanism is intened to stop mass piracy and people installing it on many machines. Itsnot intended to tie you down to a single motherboard.
How this relates to OEM copies from Dell, HP, etc? They actually work very similar. You *CAN* transfer them. Dell, HP, etc don't want you to, and you technically agreed not to with the purchase of the system, but it works the same as the Windows OEM cd purchase.
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