Wish to purchase new license after motherboard change

[JDhound]

I have a Compaq Presario CQ61 that has developed a motherboard fault. Currently intermittent but getting worse. I purchased a second near identical laptop (with a licensed and working operating system installed).

Rather than having to reload all the programs (they are extensive) and data and settings in the second computer as if it was a new installation, I tried removing the hard drive from the faulty laptop and putting it in the second laptop. That worked fine (a few driver issues etc that I fixed up) and the "new laptop" is fully operational.

I am aware that since both laptops have OEM versions of Windows installed, it is not possible to transfer the licence from one to the other. But I am happy to purchase a new license for the second computer to make it legal. In fact, I may at some stage try and fix the original motherboard so would like to keep the original license on this.

Is it possible to purchase a new license and activate what is otherwise a fully working functional laptop,
but has an operating system that does not now correspond to the motherboard hardware as regards license, without having to do a full clean install and have to start again from scratch setting it up as if you were starting with a new computer?

At this point in time the system is working but giving me a warning that it is not activated and will attempt auto activation in two days.

 

[Ranger4]

Hi JDhound, welcome to the Forum.

It might be worth phoning Microsoft & speaking to an operator, concerning your situation about the reasons for changing your systems.

Finding a new installation DVD, complete with the license, for Windows 7 is becoming very hard indeed. Do try all the computer shops in your area as they may still have one, in which case it will probably be an OEM System Builder's one. Once you install that you will locked to that motherboard & not able to use it for installation on another computer.

Definitely avoid Ebay as very often the Windows 7 license is bogus or been used many time before.

 

[JDhound]

Thanks for welcome, and the tips Ranger4. I will phone Microsoft on their activation line as you suggest.

What I'm unsure of, is that if I do find and purchase a new installation DVD with license for Windows 7, will it allow me to install it without losing everything on the hard drive? If I have to do a clean install it defeats the purpose of what I have attempted/achieved in "transporting" everything from the intermittent laptop, to the replacement laptop by way of the hard drive.

It was actually more difficult than I first expected because what I didn't know when I purchased the replacement laptop was that it had Intel Chipset while my original laptop was AMD. It was a challenge and took more than new drivers, but I got there, so am now particularly keen to get it all completed with a legal license.

 

[torchwood]

Hi JDHound,

Just swapping out HDD's does NOT invalidate the licence, Its tied to the motherboard.
Thousands of people have moved from spinners to SSD's and the licence remains intact.

IF both comp are Home pemium NO new licence will be needed
(As both the comps are HP then the SLIC table on both will be identical, and i wouldn't be surprised if the base licence key is reported)
HP home premium key - 4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9
Even it that fails validation you still have the COA code

You probobly wont have to even register it either.

if you want to check its current status
run this tool copy/paste the output
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

got a sneaky feeling its your IRST drivers causing the problem
NO PRODUCT KEY WILL WORK if this is the case
if the report looks like this
Sfc /scannow unable to fix corrupted files Solved - Windows 7 Help Forums

Roy

entering a new product key does not require a clean install
its can be done in your System GUI - change product key