New
#70
With Windows 7 and earlier using OEM SLP activation, Windows looks for the OEM SLIC table in the BIOS. That's what it activates against. Swap out the motherboard with an identical board from that manufacturer with the same SLIC table in the BIOS and Windows doesn't know the difference. Replace it with a motherboard with a miss matched SLIC table (HP instead of Dell etc) or no SLIC table and activation will fail on the first boot up with that new board. Reinstall with the custom OEM provided install media on a motherboard with the correct SLIC table and its OEM SLP activation. Just like it was at the factory. Reinstall with a store bought OEM DVD and you'll be prompted to enter a product code. That's when you use the one on the COA sticker.