Okay, I have just got done gutting my computer and installed a new motherboard and hard drive, now after installing windows and attempting to activate it (let me explicitly state: THIS IS A PERFECTLY LEGIT COPYT!!!) Bought and paid for, I have the activation code in front of me. But now am getting a message that I cannot use this key, probably because it thinks it is installed on another computer. It is a different motherboard. What are my options? I am given the option of buying a new key, but don't really care for the option if I don't have to.

Any help Is appreciated in helping to resolve this.

You need to log an incident (ie call or email) with Microsoft, they are the only ones who will be able to legitimatly get you copy of Windows working.

Contact Microsoft support with the problem. If you tell them you had a hardware failure and you had to reinstall they are obligated to fix it for you, if you tell them you just wanted to upgrade it is at the discretion of the person on the other end of the line if they clear the key. You can take that information any way you want.

I'm not telling you to lie to support either.

If its like XP it should prompt you with a phone number to call. Just call it and let the automated thing help you. Then again they may have changed it for Windows 7.

Welcome to the wonderful world of OEM Windows Installls: Change too much hardware and they cry wolf (a mobo change is guaranteed to trigger it always)

Gotta love WGA <_<

As Others said, you need to call MS about it so they can authorize the license it for the new mobo. However, if this is prebuilt computer from the big OEM companies like Dell, HP, Sony, etc, you may be SOL, as the licensing stipulates that you only use THEIR motherboards and BIOS with their OEM Windows installs. The license is 100% non-transferable to other computers.

It was a Dell. So basically I am srewed?

EDIT: This copy of windows was purchased after I bought the computer. Computer came with Vista installed, now have Win 7 64 bit.

You are going to need to contact Dell, then. It probably won't be fun trying to get them to give you a license.


Was it an upgrade license or was it a full install license? Also did you get it from Dell?

Bah, this exact thing happened to me when I tried to upgrade computers. It should have just been as simple as plugging in the hard drive (Well, simpler) but no. I spent hours trying to figure out why it wasn't working and then even more hours trying to fix it. Eventually I realized that it was impossible and installed an old copy of XP Pro that I had lying around.

Disc says it is a backup disc that includes anytime upgrade.

It was not purchased from Dell. purchased from Microsoft. (It was a download and was sent a backup disc)

IIRC, Anytime upgrade licenses keep the previous license on record and periodically check it to make sure it is still valid. Though with luck that means you can call MS and explain them the situation instead of Dell, you might get lucky.

ITT: Don't upgrade the Mobo of prebuilt OEMs with Windows installed unless you want a big headache or have another Windows license laying around.

How about installing Vista first. Once Vista is working and dosn't need anymore activation or what ever, then try and install Windows 7. I know it's time consuming, but if yoiu will not try that, then call MicroSoft. That is the only other option I can think of without buying another key or what ever you call them now.

He can't install Vista, it is a Dell OEM copy which is BIOS-locked to Dell Mobos.

Will have to try getting ahold of them tomorrow after work.
If I can't get it sorted out I could purchase a new copy of windows. :flame:

Thanks, I just lernt something new today. I don't know much, so I was just guessing. So how could he install Win 7 then if it was only an upgrade? I thought you needed a previous version of something for an upgrade to be used, or are things done differently from win 95? As you can see, I am not computer savy. :wink_smile:

Is Linux an option? I have to ask because... I have to ask.

You do need a previous version of Windows to activate an upgrade license. Right now the OP already has the upgrade installed, but when he changed the mobo of his computer, it invalidated his license, which is why he is now in need of calling MS to try and make it valid again.

Ah I see now. So the hard drive is staying the same with all the stuff installed on it. So he is not reinstalling the software just changing the botherboard. I see now. Thanks again.

I'm certainly not looking forward to the day I need to buy a new motherboard.

Remember the days when you actually owned the software you bought?

You still can, just make sure it has a copyleft license.

You cannot use a upgrade disc (retail or digital download) to install Windows 7 if you originally had Vista (Dell Direct OEM) and then changed the motherboard. You need to buy either a Windows 7 Full (not Upgrade) retail or a Windows 7 full System Builder's OEM copy.

Once you installed a new motherboard you invalidated the Direct OEM copy. Without a valid previously installed O/S, a upgrade will not take.

Note: System Builder's OEM copies (like Direct OEM copies) are tied to a motherboard. Unless your motherboard is defective and/or you get a exact replacement, you cannot use it again. You probably will need to call Microsoft when the motherboard is replaced. Retail versions of Windows may be used more than once (but only one computer at a time).

This is why you should read EULAs before you agree to their terms.

edit: typos and more typos

Yep.

Another endorsemant of Linux

I'll switch to Linux once they play DirectX games :shrug: Good thing i bought a full copy of Windows 7.

UPDATE: I have just gotten off the phone with Microsoft and they were kind enough to provide me with a new product activation code, so now I am good to go. :dance:

Thanks to all who responded in this thread and for providing me with some really helpful info. You guys are all great!!!

Mods can now close this thread, my problem has been resolved.

OK.

I had exactly the same problem with a replacement motherboard - a call to Microsoft also solved it within a few moments.