Hi Ken, thanks for that answer.

I purchased a retail version of Vista Ultimate. So my new computer will
keep pretty much nothing form my old computer except the monitors. If I
understand correctly, I should be able to install without problems, and when
activating, I may just need to call a 1-800 number. That sounds simple
enough.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:
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> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:43:00 -0800, Teesang
> <Teesang@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
> > 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
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>[/color]