I have a problem with my pc, I RMA'd my motherboard and Graphics card. I bought it and the proof is in my microsoft account. When I attempt to activate it, it tells me my copy is no longer valid. It just ends up telling me that I need to buy a new copy. I wished I knew about this before I RMA'd my motherboard. Is there a way I could activate my legal copy win_10?
Is this a custom built computer or a OEM (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) unit?
Are you reinstalling Windows 10 or just activating a installed copy?
Follow this Windows 10 activation guide here to check if there are any faults:
Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
Activate Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
This is a custom built pc.
I'm assuming you just took the old install of Windows 10 and moved it to the new motherboard? Are you logging in with a Microsoft Account and with a relatively recent build of Windows 10? If so, have you tried this?:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530
Also at the very end of that article is a link to contact Microsoft Customer Support to help you.
All that being said - if you installed an OEM version of Windows 10 on the retail motherboard that you originally built the computer with - you started out in violation of the OEM license agreement. Also, on a motherboard replacement under OEM licensing, it is the OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer - that is responsible for providing a new license for Windows because the license is not transferable (according to the EULA) to a new motherboard. And if you happened to use an OEM version of Windows, that OEM happens to be you now.
If you did use a full retail version of Windows - then just entering the product key that came with it again should activate it.
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