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General discussion

Install Vista OEM on new machine.

by jmurphy88 Dec 8, 2009 8:21PM PST

Several years ago I built a new computer and installed Vista OEM on it. The computer ran smoothly until earlier this year and I decided to install Windows 7 RC over Vista. Now the computer is not booting,and the Windows 7 RC version that I have should be good until 6/2010 per MS. I am going to start over and build another computer. I would like to install my original Vista OEM, I have the OEM disk and keys, on the new computer and use it only on the new computer. My question is:Will this work? Will I be able to activate the Vista OEM with MS? I need to get a computer up and running and decide later what I am going to do about Windows 7.

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1 Posts

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No hard rules.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 8, 2009 10:52PM PST

While some OEM versions do fine, others fail. The one thing we know is that the MSFT rule is simple. OEM versions die with the original machine so it's worth trying if the original machine is dead and gone.
Bob

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