Re-install of vista Home Premium x64

After a bit of advice.

I am considering re-installing vista on my pc as some of the updates have caused considerable errors (ntoskrnl...) I searched far and wide on the web to find solutions but nothing seemed to fit the bill.

Now I want to re-install the whole thing (after having backed up everything!) and start from scratch. I remember hearing about MS only activating the OS once and if you want to reinstall you have to buy it again! Is this only the case if I were to change any hardware in the pc or for any reinstall? I bought the os seperatly as I built my pc myself.

Any advice is welcome!!

Hello Stu, welcome to Vista forums!

As I assume you purchased an OEM version of Vista, it will be tied to the motherboard.
Having said that; are you going to attempt to install it back on the original MoBo?

Keep us informed!












Later Ted

I do believe I have the OEM system builder version. All I want to do is re-install over my current version. MoBo, Graphics and HDD are all staying the same.

Tried the repair function off the vista DVD again last night. It's curently still trying to repair itself after running all night.... I think I will be doing a installation tonight....

the funny thing is, if I cancell that repair by killing the power (normal canx doesn't work) windows will run up normaly without some drivers! Monitor, sound, processor and Enumaretor drivers are faulty in the device manager!

When buying an OEM version of any software it is locked to the hardware for that machine. If you are reinstalling on the same computer you do not need to buy a new licence.