I did a clean install using the free upgrade offer a few weeks ago. Sorry to say, but it really looks like I will need a new motherboard, same make and model, but will be leaving everything else the same. Do you think Microsoft will reactivate it afterwards?
If not, I have backup images of my Windows 10, and was wondering if I could do a restore of my old system and purchase a new product code that would activate my already set up system?
This should work if you have the previous Windows 7/8 with Product Key then try to install it first, Activated then restore your Windows 10
What socklosk is asking about is an issue of hardware bundling: In several countries, Microsoft is legally enabled to permanently bind a copy of Windows to one fixed PC. The question in these countries is: When, after which changes to the configuration, will Microsoft consider the hardware you have there to be a different PC with the consequence that your old software can no longer be used on it?
I do not know the answer - luckily I am in a country, where such annoyances are not legally possible.
Last edited by Joergi; 23 Aug 2015 at 17:39.
I **think** that if you are replacing a broken motherboard with an identical replacement then you have a good chance of successfully re-activating your current Win10 installation
Once you have installed your new identical motherboard to replace the broken one I recommend you do the following:
- Speak to a Microsoft Activation Customer Service Representative on the phone.
- You will be able to get the phone number via the activation screen in "Settings"
- Clearly state that the motherboard used to initially activate Windows 10 had failed and needed to replaced
- Clearly state that this is a repair and not an upgrade
- Clearly state that you are replacing a defective motherboard with an identical like-for-like replacement (same make and model)
- Clearly state again that this is definitely not an upgrade of your existing hardware
FYI, I have successfully re-activated previous versions of Windows after replacing a broken motherboard with an identical make and model. I used the method to ensure success.
If you are not 100% clear in the way you are expressing your self then you may not be successful. ie They will not re-activate if they believe you performed a major hardware upgrade
Good luck.
I could be wrong, but surely the answer must be the same wherever you live. The EULA is the EULA and is a binding contract. It is my belief that as long as you are replacing a broken (failed) component with an identical replacement and DEFINITELY NOT doing an upgrade then that is allowed, regardless of where you live.
Please correct me if I am wrong as I am eager to learn! :)
Hi all.
Interesting thread.
My MB won't post. Gigabyte z77x-d3h v1.0 (duel bios) upgrade to w10 from 8.1(paid £15 for w8) pro N. I started with w7 pro n. No problems the with upgrade.
I've come to the conclusion that I need to replace both bios chips.
What does Microsoft conclude a upgrade?
The cost of a 2nd hand z77x is around £50, £60. I would prefer to put the money towards a new MB and processor. All my other components would still be the same.
To me the performance gain won't be that much different between my old and new system.
Current system
Intel i7 3770k oc to 4.5ghz
Msi 280x
Crucial 128ssd (w8.1)
Samsung 256ssd pro (w10) activated
Lots of other hard drives.
If I buy a new MB and processor (what ever the latest Intel socket is) would windows 10 still work?
Knowing my luck I'll get the MB to work but w10 won't activate.
What the most annoying is I bought batman arkham knight Yesterday. It ran great. No glitches. Turn pc on this am. Boot. Boot. Reboot......... Noooo.
I blame the storm we had last night in the UK.
Regards
Replacement of a mobo with the manufacturer's recommended part should lead to reactivation by phone. Upgrading to any other board invalidates the license and may require a retail copy of Windows. If the OS upgraded from was OEM then the license is gone with an upgrade mobo. If the OS upgraded from was a retail FPP copy, then it can be reactivated on any new mobo installed and so should be the Windows 10 upgrade, although phone activation may be required.
Last edited by Cbarnhorst; 23 Aug 2015 at 17:15.
Thanks for the reply.
My Windows 7 pro n was a VL. I paid for the windows 8 upgrade on the day it was released. £15 If I recall. So I'm guessing that I have a retail copy of w8.
I have the original w7 and the w8 code.
So if I do buy a new MB I would have to install 8.1. Then upgrade to 10.
Quote