Upgrade motherboard with Windows 7

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Hi all, I have a question about Windows re-activation.

If I change a motherboard/cpu in an Dell PC, will I still be able to use Windows 7 on that computer? I know that I can get the drivers loaded ok in safe mode, but will I need to re-activate Windows 7 to get it working again?

I read something a long time ago about hardware changes and activation, but I don't know if this will happen in this case. No big deal if I just need to ring up, but I wanted to check it wouldn't just break.

 

[clifford_cooley]

If I change a motherboard/cpu in an Dell PC, will I still be able to use Windows 7 on that computer?

Changing motherboards will trigger a de-activation, unless you use the exact same model.

If you have an OEM copy of Windows, it may require a new license. It has been said that an OEM license is tied to a specific motherboard model once activated.

 

[Thrax]

Clifford is right: If it's a retail license, you will have to reactivate. If it's an OEM license, you cannot upgrade the motherboard--it must be replaced with exactly the same thing.

That said, that's what the EULA claims. I bet you can call MS and get an OEM license reactivated anyhow, but you didn't hear that from me.

 

[draceena]

I'm sure if you were calling them every other day you might have problem, but as Thrax did not say, they will probably help you out if a reactivation is needed...I did not say this either