Looking to use current Win7 OEM product after Motherboard RMA

[Imbajoe]

Hello, I recently had hardware failure that resulted in myself RMA'ing my motherboard. It is my understanding that I will be receiving the same model of motherboard, but a different unit. Am I eligible to use my current Windows 7 product on my computer after I receive my replacement motherboard? Specifically I'm using Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM.

 

[Ztruker]

Yes, you should not have any problem. If you do, use the phone method to active.

 

[Layback Bear]

After RMA my motherboard with the same motherboard but different serial number and Bios. I had to do the phone call with Microsoft. It took about 5 minutes.

 

[cytherian]

I wonder if their serialization construct is sophisticated enough to incorporate a code for the motherboard identifier... How can they know if you've replaced it with the same model? Technically the OS is "bound" to the MB once the OEM software is activated and according to Microsoft rules, it is non transferable unless it's an exact replacement.

 

[AddRAM]

It all depends if you get another key, correct ?

 

[cytherian]

^ I think it's the same operating system as before, same product number and license key. It's just a question about getting the operating system activated on the new motherboard. If it's the same motherboard model, Microsoft should OK it. But, I'm curious if they'll do it when you upgrade your motherboard to something better but otherwise the same system. If they have no way of verifying, then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Layback Bear]

I like you cytherian do wonder how Microsoft knows. All I can tell you is they knew and it was easy to solve.

 

[AddRAM]

You get someone on the phone in a good mood, anything is possible.

 

[gregrocker]

Mobo make/model is the most important identifier in the hardware signature used to decide whether an installation holds activation after hardware change or reinstall. A number of other components can change but not the mobo make/model.

The same model mobo will almost always reactivate without problem or even hold activation if you boot the extant OS on it.. If not then as suggested use Phone Activation as all reports are the MS will make exceptions on mobo change with good excuse and yours is as good as they get.

 

[cytherian]

OK, so there is a hardware signature sent to Microsoft that they probably have an automatic look-up for, that will show whether or not a hardware change has occurred (meaning change of a motherboard). Interesting...

 

[alphanumeric]

I once swapped out an Asus M2N68-AM SE2 motherboard for an Asus M4N68T-M V2 without reinstalling Windows 7. I didn't have to activate again either. They both have the same NVIDIA nForce 630a / GeForce 7025 chip-set. The M2N68 is DDR2 and the M4N68 is DDR3. The only thing I had to do was uninstall and then install a new audio driver. The M2N68 is RealTek and the M4N68 VIA. OEM Windows 7. I was surprised that I didn't have to do a phone activation.

 

[bigmck]

You get someone on the phone in a good mood, anything is possible.

The one time I had to call for activation, it was a robot on the phone, not a person. He asked me several questions and I had to read him a few numbers. He finally ended up giving me a new number to input and the OS was activated.

 

[alphanumeric]

You get someone on the phone in a good mood, anything is possible.

The one time I had to call for activation, it was a robot on the phone, not a person. He asked me several questions and I had to read him a few numbers. He finally ended up giving me a new number to input and the OS was activated.

I've been there two. After doing a reinstall using the Product code on the COA sticker. Automated voice, no real person.

 

[gregrocker]

Trading the long number strings in the activation robocall is basically rewriting the hardware signature in their servers. It should be able to do it online but there's some reason it diverts to phone at times, possibly a change in hardware triggers it. But I haven't had phone activation in several dozen factory OEM reinstalls so it's improving.

They don't talk much about it so we pretty much have to put together the clues here. The last definitive tutorial on how hardware signature works is from XP era: Windows XP Activation Explained - Technibble

 

[alphanumeric]

I "think" the first time you actually use the Product Code on the COA sticker, you have to robocall to get it saved to the activation server. I assume anytime after that its automatic. So far I haven had any return customers to actually confirm it though.

 

[Imbajoe]

Hey guys, I'm back with an update. When I installed the new motherboard (again, same model, new unit) and booted up my computer, everything worked fine on Window's side. I didn't have to reinstall Windows 7, I'm not even sure if I needed to reactivate it (I can't recall exactly, but if I did have to reactivate, then it was a seemless clicking "activate windows" button and that was it). Unfortunately, the replacement motherboard I got was also defective (bad PCIe x16 slot), but I it's good to know that there was/will be no problem with getting my Windows 7 working with the new motherboard

 

[gregrocker]

And what is this twice-defective mobo make and model so Google can inform others?

 

[Imbajoe]

And what is this twice-defective mobo make and model so Google can inform others?

Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3