[Thomascoote]

Hey, Im thinking of buying Windows Vista Home Premium, but was wondering if I would have to buy a new copy every time I changed my system.
I change parts of my machine very often (In the past 3 months Ive had 3 motherboards) so its important for it to always work with my machine. Could someone tell me if I would be o.k buying Vista and upgrading my computer at a later date, or would I need to re-purchase?
Thanks

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If you buy OEM, it lives and dies with the machine you first use it on. In Microsoft's eyes, it dies when the first "machine" dies and a new licence is required. It cannot be transferred.
If you buy Retail, you can use it as many times as you want on that computer, but only on that computer. It can be transferred as long as its totally off the old machine first. It doesn't die.

[Neil Jones]

If you buy OEM, it lives and dies with the machine you first use it on. In Microsoft's eyes, it dies when the first "machine" dies and a new licence is required. It cannot be transferred.
If you buy Retail, you can use it as many times as you want on that computer, but only on that computer. It can be transferred as long as its totally off the old machine first. It doesn't die.

[starjax]

not completely true. changing a motherboard doesn't constitute a new "system". I would certainly recommend a retail copy over oem in your situation just to avoid the issues Neil was referring to. Vista activation works much the same as it did with xp. after a certain amount of reinstalls it will make you call microsoft to reactivate it.

[Thomascoote]

O.k thanks that cleared up some concerns I was having!