Can I reuse Vista if I upgrade my case?

I have a prebuilt HP computer that came with Vista home Premium installed.
The airflow in the case isn't what I want it to be, but I like everything
else. I'm thinking about moving the whole nine yards to a bigger case with
room for a couple more fans. I'd like to avoid the expense of buying an
operating system I already have, tho. If I reuse the same motherboard, won't
I be OK from a licensing standpoint?
--
Best, Wm. E

 

wme1221 wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I have a prebuilt HP computer that came with Vista home Premium installed.
> The airflow in the case isn't what I want it to be, but I like everything
> else. I'm thinking about moving the whole nine yards to a bigger case with
> room for a couple more fans. I'd like to avoid the expense of buying an
> operating system I already have, tho. If I reuse the same motherboard, won't
> I be OK from a licensing standpoint?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Changing the case won't affect *anything*. You won't have to reinstall
Windows or worry about buying a new operating system. That said, HP
makes weird cases so make sure that the innards will fit properly into
the new case.

Alias

 

wme1221 wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I have a prebuilt HP computer that came with Vista home Premium installed.
> The airflow in the case isn't what I want it to be, but I like everything
> else. I'm thinking about moving the whole nine yards to a bigger case with
> room for a couple more fans. I'd like to avoid the expense of buying an
> operating system I already have, tho. If I reuse the same motherboard, won't
> I be OK from a licensing standpoint?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


If you can find a case to fit, yes, you should be OK.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:




They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

I've heard that M$ is being pretty lenient with Vista purchasers and
allowing stretching the license a bit to keep users from coming down
even harder than they already are with Vista. If you have problems
activating after reinstalling I would contact M$ via phone and explain
what you are doing and you will likely get a new reg key for your
troubles.


--
locoeng

Vista Ultimate 32/64 bit dual boot
Gigabyte EP35 DS3R
XFX GeForce 8600GT
Corsair 520HX
G.Skill DDR II 800 X2 gigs
Seagate 120GB (IDE) X2
WD 750 (SATA)
Samsung SH203B SBO3 patched codeking
Pioneer 215L patched MCSE
NEC/Optiarc 7200S 1.06bt Liggy&Dee
Lite-On 20A1L BL06 -FB FBL EOS EOHT 6-

 

locoeng wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I've heard that M$ is being pretty lenient with Vista purchasers and
> allowing stretching the license a bit to keep users from coming down
> even harder than they already are with Vista. If you have problems
> activating after reinstalling I would contact M$ via phone and explain
> what you are doing and you will likely get a new reg key for your
> troubles.
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Man, your entire post is not true. Vista is stricter than XP and
changing a case will not affect the Vista install one iota. Where did
you get your information, a cracker jack box?

Alias

 

Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just changing
the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will have to upgrade
his case driver do you?

"locoeng" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:3fcb835a8d8f5de563e8aa11cba24029@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> I've heard that M$ is being pretty lenient with Vista purchasers and
> allowing stretching the license a bit to keep users from coming down
> even harder than they already are with Vista. If you have problems
> activating after reinstalling I would contact M$ via phone and explain
> what you are doing and you will likely get a new reg key for your
> troubles.
>
>
> --
> locoeng
>
> Vista Ultimate 32/64 bit dual boot
> Gigabyte EP35 DS3R
> XFX GeForce 8600GT
> Corsair 520HX
> G.Skill DDR II 800 X2 gigs
> Seagate 120GB (IDE) X2
> WD 750 (SATA)
> Samsung SH203B SBO3 patched codeking
> Pioneer 215L patched MCSE
> NEC/Optiarc 7200S 1.06bt Liggy&Dee
> Lite-On 20A1L BL06 -FB FBL EOS EOHT 6- <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

You shouldn't have to do anything at all just move everything and press
the on button, everything else should be in the same condition.


--
vdesai

 

Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just
> changing the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will
> have to upgrade his case driver do you?
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


Yes, I have had to reactivate Vista at least twice simply because
Microsoft said so, all I did ws turn the machine off and back on again,
so do not ridicule the OP for what is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM.

You cannot run a business by continually calling legitimate purchasers
thieves and liars... Microsoft have officially called me a thief on a
number of occasions, I know I am not and it does not bother me, but many
people it does bother and frankly if Ballmer chose to do that in person
he might well regret doing so.

The OP is right to ask, it is a legitimate question because the smallest
change in configuration used to trigger it. Lucky you if you have not
experienced it.

Things seem to have improved a lot, I hope so, but in < 5 minutes I can
be back here using Ubuntu or Debian with no such worries, why? Because
Ballmer is not allowed to deactivate me is why.

 

Moving your internal hardware to a different computer
case will not affect your Windows Vista activation status
in the least bit.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"wme1221" wrote:

I have a prebuilt HP computer that came with Vista home Premium installed.
The airflow in the case isn't what I want it to be, but I like everything
else. I'm thinking about moving the whole nine yards to a bigger case with
room for a couple more fans. I'd like to avoid the expense of buying an
operating system I already have, tho. If I reuse the same motherboard, won't
I be OK from a licensing standpoint?
--
Best, Wm. E

 

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:OlPDKP90IHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just
>> changing the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will have
>> to upgrade his case driver do you?
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
>
> Yes, I have had to reactivate Vista at least twice simply because
> Microsoft said so, all I did ws turn the machine off and back on again, so
> do not ridicule the OP for what is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM.
>
> You cannot run a business by continually calling legitimate purchasers
> thieves and liars... Microsoft have officially called me a thief on a
> number of occasions, I know I am not and it does not bother me, but many
> people it does bother and frankly if Ballmer chose to do that in person he
> might well regret doing so.
>
> The OP is right to ask, it is a legitimate question because the smallest
> change in configuration used to trigger it. Lucky you if you have not
> experienced it.
>
> Things seem to have improved a lot, I hope so, but in < 5 minutes I can be
> back here using Ubuntu or Debian with no such worries, why? Because
> Ballmer is not allowed to deactivate me is why.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

There is no problem with the system working in a different case. As long as
it all fits in. The working parts are all the same. But the Vista COA and
licence Key is stuck to the case so the question is is it legal to change
the case. Or is the case the only thing you can't replace?

 

"Darkelldar" <not@home.net> wrote in message
news:OxiKTt%230IHA.4164@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> There is no problem with the system working in a different case. As long
> as it all fits in. The working parts are all the same. But the Vista COA
> and licence Key is stuck to the case so the question is is it legal to
> change the case. Or is the case the only thing you can't replace?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

A pair of tin snips and a little epoxy will have that old Key stuck on the
new case in no time. )

 

Transfer them to the new case if you can or copy them and affix the copy.
The case does not figure into what constitutes a different computer. If you
rewrap a loaf of bread it is still a loaf of bread.

"Darkelldar" <not@home.net> wrote in message
news:OxiKTt%230IHA.4164@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
> news:OlPDKP90IHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just
>>> changing the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will
>>> have to upgrade his case driver do you?
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>>
>> Yes, I have had to reactivate Vista at least twice simply because
>> Microsoft said so, all I did ws turn the machine off and back on again,
>> so do not ridicule the OP for what is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM.
>>
>> You cannot run a business by continually calling legitimate purchasers
>> thieves and liars... Microsoft have officially called me a thief on a
>> number of occasions, I know I am not and it does not bother me, but many
>> people it does bother and frankly if Ballmer chose to do that in person
>> he might well regret doing so.
>>
>> The OP is right to ask, it is a legitimate question because the smallest
>> change in configuration used to trigger it. Lucky you if you have not
>> experienced it.
>>
>> Things seem to have improved a lot, I hope so, but in < 5 minutes I can
>> be back here using Ubuntu or Debian with no such worries, why? Because
>> Ballmer is not allowed to deactivate me is why.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> There is no problem with the system working in a different case. As long
> as it all fits in. The working parts are all the same. But the Vista COA
> and licence Key is stuck to the case so the question is is it legal to
> change the case. Or is the case the only thing you can't replace? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> If I reuse the same motherboard, won't I be OK from a licensing
> standpoint?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I misread the OP and focused on "keeping the mobo" and assumed there
would be additional hardware changes, such as HDD's etc. in which case a
reinstall and reactivate would be necessary.

Colin Barnhorst Wrote: <!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
>
> Why in
> the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just changing
> the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will have to
> upgrade
> his case driver do you? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


Let me know if you need case drivers, I have a really good link for
you.


--
locoeng

Vista Ultimate 32/64 bit dual boot
Gigabyte EP35 DS3R
XFX GeForce 8600GT
Corsair 520HX
G.Skill DDR II 800 X2 gigs
Seagate 120GB (IDE) X2
WD 750 (SATA)
Samsung SH203B SBO3 patched codeking
Pioneer 215L patched MCSE
NEC/Optiarc 7200S 1.06bt Liggy&Dee
Lite-On 20A1L BL06 -FB FBL EOS EOHT 6-

 

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:OlPDKP90IHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just
>> changing the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will have
>> to upgrade his case driver do you?
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
>
> Yes, I have had to reactivate Vista at least twice simply because
> Microsoft said so, all I did ws turn the machine off and back on again, so
> do not ridicule the OP for what is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM.
>
> You cannot run a business by continually calling legitimate purchasers
> thieves and liars... Microsoft have officially called me a thief on a
> number of occasions, I know I am not and it does not bother me, but many
> people it does bother and frankly if Ballmer chose to do that in person he
> might well regret doing so.
>
> The OP is right to ask, it is a legitimate question because the smallest
> change in configuration used to trigger it. Lucky you if you have not
> experienced it.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Personally, i bought an OEM copy of Vista and after installing it on one pc,
upgraded to a quad-core pc with only one hard drive moving over (now D,
re-installed Vista and didn't do anything different from the first time i
installed it. I've since added more drives, changed graphics cards,
upgraded BIOS, changed this and that and Vista has never once said anything
about hainv to reactivate anything.

Although i have to ask how a piece of plastic that is only connected to the
actual pc by 4 screws would ever trigger anything. Unless the pc has motion
sensors?

 

jpg file attachement. Re: Can I reuse Vista if I upgrade my case?

Got one for this case? (see attachment) I use Java on it.

"locoeng" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:1b3c6f7ccbae8f1c54a47d0df93cc557@nntp-gateway.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> If I reuse the same motherboard, won't I be OK from a licensing
>> standpoint?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I misread the OP and focused on "keeping the mobo" and assumed there
> would be additional hardware changes, such as HDD's etc. in which case a
> reinstall and reactivate would be necessary.
>
> Colin Barnhorst Wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>>
>>
>> Why in
>> the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just changing
>> the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will have to
>> upgrade
>> his case driver do you? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
>
> Let me know if you need case drivers, I have a really good link for
> you.
>
>
> --
> locoeng
>
> Vista Ultimate 32/64 bit dual boot
> Gigabyte EP35 DS3R
> XFX GeForce 8600GT
> Corsair 520HX
> G.Skill DDR II 800 X2 gigs
> Seagate 120GB (IDE) X2
> WD 750 (SATA)
> Samsung SH203B SBO3 patched codeking
> Pioneer 215L patched MCSE
> NEC/Optiarc 7200S 1.06bt Liggy&Dee
> Lite-On 20A1L BL06 -FB FBL EOS EOHT 6- <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Re: jpg file attachement. Re: Can I reuse Vista if I upgrade my case?


"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:4ED9D284-85CC-411B-871F-A706F9D49458@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Got one for this case? (see attachment) I use Java on it.
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Got a URL for that coffee maker? )

 

Re: jpg file attachement. Re: Can I reuse Vista if I upgrade mycase?

Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Got one for this case? (see attachment) I use Java on it.
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
----------------------------------------
Hahaha...what more could a person want?
You can surf the web, email, drink coffee and it even includes a cup
holder!
Frank

 

Re: jpg file attachement. Re: Can I reuse Vista if I upgrade my case?

Unfortunately, no. But you can use the pic all you want.

"Sinner" <sinner@gatesofhell.org> wrote in message
news:FEg7k.779$CC.344@bignews9.bellsouth.net...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:4ED9D284-85CC-411B-871F-A706F9D49458@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Got one for this case? (see attachment) I use Java on it.
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Got a URL for that coffee maker? )
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Cy!on wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
> news:OlPDKP90IHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Colin Barnhorst wrote:<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> Why in the world would he have any need to reactivate? He is just
>>> changing the case for heaven's sake. You don't really think he will
>>> have to upgrade his case driver do you?
>>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>>
>> Yes, I have had to reactivate Vista at least twice simply because
>> Microsoft said so, all I did ws turn the machine off and back on
>> again, so do not ridicule the OP for what is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM.
>>
>> You cannot run a business by continually calling legitimate purchasers
>> thieves and liars... Microsoft have officially called me a thief on a
>> number of occasions, I know I am not and it does not bother me, but
>> many people it does bother and frankly if Ballmer chose to do that in
>> person he might well regret doing so.
>>
>> The OP is right to ask, it is a legitimate question because the
>> smallest change in configuration used to trigger it. Lucky you if you
>> have not experienced it.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Personally, i bought an OEM copy of Vista and after installing it on one
> pc, upgraded to a quad-core pc with only one hard drive moving over (now
> D, re-installed Vista and didn't do anything different from the first
> time i installed it. I've since added more drives, changed graphics
> cards, upgraded BIOS, changed this and that and Vista has never once
> said anything about hainv to reactivate anything.
>
> Although i have to ask how a piece of plastic that is only connected to
> the actual pc by 4 screws would ever trigger anything. Unless the pc
> has motion sensors?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


My point is that I did NOTHING at all and had to reactivate on two
occasions with two PCs.

 

Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Moving your internal hardware to a different computer
> case will not affect your Windows Vista activation status
> in the least bit.
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


Should not, you cannot say "Will Not" when simply turning off the PC can
trigger it. It has happened at least twice to me for no reason at all,
just because you have not seen it does not mean it doesn't happen. If
the OP just happens to plug a drive into a different connector then who
knows? I am not being confrontational, but there have been numerous
errors in the activation model and it still isn't right, it has been
relaxed I think because people complain.