Generally replacing more than 2 components will cause the windows to need reactivation (as far as i know) and 3 times out of 4 BSOD... If the license is a OEM (if you had a branded computer) it's supposed to be only on that machine... however if you purchase a computer from a computer builder, the majority of them sells you the windows and you can reinstall on your new pc legally and if that's the 5-6 times, just call or e-mail microsoft if they block the key and make them know about your reformat (it works for me 3 times + like the 5-6 that the key was ok...)

For games, no problem, you can reinstall all of them on your new PC without problem and if you have problem, e-mail the company that own the game and explain that you just did a format (but that never happen to me)

Generally it should be find - most licensed games will require you to connect to the Internet to verify the key anyway. Steam is a great way to avoid this headache.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm running the OEM version of Windows 7 which I understand will become invalid when you replace the motherboard. I think if you phone MS and explain the issue they can give you a new key though.

shutout24 wrote: Thanks for the tips guys. I'm running the OEM version of Windows 7 which I understand will become invalid when you replace the motherboard. I think if you phone MS and explain the issue they can give you a new key though.

Last time I had to deal with this, I just told M$ that the motherboard had failed and I was replacing it with an aftermarket part because the system wasn't under warranty. Zero complaints, and they had a new key to me in minutes.

I did NOT tell them that I had also replaced the case, power supply, video card, hard discs, etc.

Yeah, i think i did that too :P Supposed to be only on that machine but, seriously, you already purchase windows in that premade machine so...