On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:43:00 -0800, Teesang
<Teesang@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> I purchased Vista Ultimate a couple of months ago. Recently, I've decided
> it's time for a new computer system. I do not purchase name brand computers.
> I custom make mine. So basically I will be buying a new motherboard, case,
> video card etc etc and building a new machine.
>
> My concern is how to transfer my product key or license, or if I even need
> to do so?
>
> Can I just build the new computer and then insert my Vista Ultimate DVD and
> install as normal? Or do I need to "remove" or "deactivate" the
> license/product key from my old computer first?[/color]


There is no such thing as "deactivation," nor is there any need to do
so. The answer to your question depends on whether you bought a retail
copy of Vista or an OEM one. If it's a retail one, there is no
problem--just install and activate normally (worst case, you might be
prompted to activate by a quick and easy voice call to an 800 number).

But if you bought one of the cheaper OEM versions, you may *not* do
this at all. An OEM version comes with several disadvantages (that's
why it's cheaper), the most severe of which is that its license ties
it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never
legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away.

It's for that reason that I almost always recommend against buying an
OEM version.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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