Well, this is getting annoying

ColdFusion · Post by **ColdFusion** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:17 pm

So,

I have been working on a friends computer. Long story short I broke a pin off on the motherboard and had to replace the MB. After getting everything setup and loading into windows apparently it is 'Not a genuine copy of windows'. So I called MS because I have changed the MB on my HP computer a few years ago and had no issue with this. According to MS the Policy has changed and now a new MB is considered a brand new computer with an OEM version of Windows. Is there anything I can do to get around this!? I'm already out ~$100 to replace the MB and now I have to spend another $200 on an OS the will most likely not even be support by MS in 8 months with Windows 7 comes out. This is so crazy! Haha.

Thanks!
Matt

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:46 am

umm... I've never run into a problem where I couldn't call them tell them its only installed on one computer and they give me a new number to make it work.

Call again and get it

morbidpete · Post by **morbidpete** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:55 am

If its an OEM Key, did you install an OEM version of XP? Most keys on computer cases are OEM home, Some OEM Pro if its a business PC.

I have a 9 in 1 xp disc that i use for setups and it has illegal keys built in. So i jump into the registry , edit a key, reactivate windows. It says the key is not valid, asks for a new one. I enter the one on the case. And bam it works. Sometimes i have to call. Use the automated thingy. Sometimes it asks if it has been installed on multiple machines or a different box. I say no. Asks me if i changed any hardware. i say yes. then it works.

this is what i use

"To change the product ID

* Log in as the local Administrator
* Click Start > Run > and type in Regedit
* Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\wpaevents

* In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify
* Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows
* Click OK and close regedit
* Click Start > Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a"
* Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next
* Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
* Enter your valid Corporate Product Key
* Press Update and close the window.
* If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later
* Restart your computer
"

TinyTim · Post by **TinyTim** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:21 am

ugh...Microsoft...

Call and when you get the automated prompt then answer as Pete suggested - only one pc has this o/s installed and you changed hardware which is what prompted the notification. If you get an actual person (and they have noted the change in MOBO agains the license) then state you re-installed the old motherboard but upgraded the HDD and are installing a fresh copy and would like to re-activate

OEM computer system can be updated with new components without the need of a new license. The only exception to this is the motherboard. If the motherboard is replaced then the system is considered "new" and the old license will not work.

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:19 pm

Tell your friend to BUY A LEGIT copy. You ARE NOT liable for illegal software.

ColdFusion · Post by **ColdFusion** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:31 pm

No I did not reinstall the OS. I basically installed the new motherboard, plugged in the hard drive, booted into windows without issue and was prompted to activate windows. When I went to activate it said that it is not a legit copy. Called MS they said that because I installed a new motherboard it is considered a different computer and will only work with the original motherboard. I would like to stay away from reinstalling the OS if possible. Will either of your suggestions (morbidpete, TinyTim) work in this case?

As of right now I have used some third party work-arounds to disable the notifications and allow windows updates but i'm sure that once the new version of WGA comes out this will all stop working.

Thanks!

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:28 am

ColdFusion wrote:No I did not reinstall the OS. I basically installed the new motherboard, plugged in the hard drive, booted into windows without issue and was prompted to activate windows. When I went to activate it said that it is not a legit copy. Called MS they said that because I installed a new motherboard it is considered a different computer and will only work with the original motherboard. I would like to stay away from reinstalling the OS if possible. Will either of your suggestions (morbidpete, TinyTim) work in this case?

As of right now I have used some third party work-arounds to disable the notifications and allow windows updates but i'm sure that once the new version of WGA comes out this will all stop working.

Thanks!

Ok hold up here.. did you replace the board with exactly the same board?? If you didn't and its a different board you need to reinstall since it requires different drivers and I would really suggest this anyway at this point with the issues with the OS installing.

ColdFusion · Post by **ColdFusion** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:59 pm

Sava,

Thats correct, I installed a new motherboard - same manufacturer but different model and did not reinstall windows. Everything went fine and the computer is running great now - installed drivers + windows updates without any problem. I dont believe the OEM recovery disks from HP allow you to do a repair install of windows? Not to mention I dont have the recovery disks there is just a recovery partition to restore the HD to its original state. I realize I should probably at least do a repair install but this is XP Media center edition and I only have XP pro. I guess I could download MCE from bittorrent and just use their CD key to install. Will this by any chance fix the issue of activation?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:42 am

ColdFusion wrote:Sava,

Thats correct, I installed a new motherboard - same manufacturer but different model and did not reinstall windows. Everything went fine and the computer is running great now - installed drivers + windows updates without any problem. I dont believe the OEM recovery disks from HP allow you to do a repair install of windows? Not to mention I dont have the recovery disks there is just a recovery partition to restore the HD to its original state. I realize I should probably at least do a repair install but this is XP Media center edition and I only have XP pro. I guess I could download MCE from bittorrent and just use their CD key to install. Will this by any chance fix the issue of activation?

Yeah I'm thinking you should do a fresh install...different board requiring perhaps different chipset drivers etc.. but a fresh install will solve the issues. Just back up what you want to save and go for it.

TinyTim · Post by **TinyTim** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:10 pm

Whenever the board is replaced it is always best to re-load the OS as the drivers will most likely be different - in this case you should be able to call MS and say you upgraded hardware, installed on one PC etc and re-activate.