Let say I buy the Malaysian Windows Vista Home Premium. It is said that the special Malaysian version is OEM and can only be activated in Malaysia (I read you can get it at around RM330.00).

1. If I change my motherboard I will not be able to use Vista anymore?

2. How many time I can format & activate this version? Note that I'm using the same computer hardware.

3. If I do a full backup (ghost/image) of the fresh installation (after being activated), and if my PC somehow got attacked by virus, will I be able to restore Vista OEM that was activated?

1. According to the Microsoft License Agreement, yes, but usually we just ignore it. Imagine you brought a new PC, using it for some month then the mobo got problem and you take it for warranty claim and the shop replace it with a new modal mobo since your mobo is phase out and not more in production. So is it your fault? is it the shop fault? it is nobody fault and yet Microsoft want us to pay for the software again?

2. 3 times.

3. yes.

Restore like that will not require me to activate it, yes?

by rit no...

or if really need to reactivate by phone, juz tell them u formatted ur computer...

Norton Ghost? Yes, you do not have to activate it again.

Quoted from Microsoft's OEM Builder FAQs:

"Q. Can a PC with OEM Windows XP have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on for that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support that license the software on that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture."

Does Vista have this sort of recovery without having to use Norton Ghost ($$)?