Upgrading hardware on a Vista system, also moving Vista from a Lap

I'm upgrading my Vista ultimate system with a new motherboard and processor.
Do I need to do a clean install of Vista or can I just reinstall over the
existing Vista install? Naturally I don't want to have to reinstall all my
existing software if I don't have to. Also will I need to reactivate Vista?
If reactivation is necessary does it give you a grace period so you can boot
up and get all the network drivers installed? If not I imagine you have to
contact MS by phone if so are they open on Sundays?

Also on a seperate issue I have a copy of Vista that I installed on my
laptop and would like to move it to a desktop system. How do I handle the
Vista reactivation on the new system?

Thanks for any advice!!

1. You will need to do a clean reinstall. Everything, data and programs, to
be also reinstalled. Save your Data to CD, Memory Stick, etc before
upgrading the hardware.

2. You will need to do a phone re-activation. Sundays? Who knows, lol.

3. It depends whether the Vista disk for the laptop is OEM, which means it
is tied to the laptop.

"SteveF" wrote:

> I'm upgrading my Vista ultimate system with a new motherboard and processor.
> Do I need to do a clean install of Vista or can I just reinstall over the
> existing Vista install? Naturally I don't want to have to reinstall all my
> existing software if I don't have to. Also will I need to reactivate Vista?
> If reactivation is necessary does it give you a grace period so you can boot
> up and get all the network drivers installed? If not I imagine you have to
> contact MS by phone if so are they open on Sundays?
>
> Also on a seperate issue I have a copy of Vista that I installed on my
> laptop and would like to move it to a desktop system. How do I handle the
> Vista reactivation on the new system?
>
> Thanks for any advice!!
>