On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:29:49 +0000 (UTC)
Nick Chalk <nick@???> wrote:
> I seem to remember MS saying that the motherboard
> was the critical component - if that changes, then
> it's a new machine.
> 
> However, this page...
>    http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx
> describes a more complex system - look for
>    "Can hardware components be changed and
>     upgraded?"
> and following questions.
I don't give a toss for m$ definition of 'a machine',  for me it is
the system that is called a specific hostname on my network. 
So this box called benden.pern is on its third case, its fourth
motherboard/processor (ie progression from Intell 386 > AMD Athlon
and several harddrives.  Most other components have changed as well.
But then it has never had a m$ O/S on it unless you count OS/2. 
 
:-)
-- 
John Lewis
Debian Linux with Geneweb genealogy application