OEM Windows and new motherboard!! PLEASE HELP

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Krazzley

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Jul 13, 2013
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Hello everyone. Not really sure what to do now so I need help.

I have the OEM version of Windows 7 Professional and am very confused about the license issue. My Asrock 990FX Extreme4 has failed me twice for no apparent reason and evidently this is just a bad company. I am going to buy an Asus board but what do I do about my license being tied to my previous motherboard??? The motherboard failing was not my fault at all and I am really stressed out about what to do next. Do I need to uninstall Windows? Do I buy a new hard drive and a new Windows copy?? Will Microsoft work with me on this?
 
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USAFRet
In case of a motherboard fail, MS will almost certainly let it be activated. You might have to go through the phone robot, or you may even have to call a human.
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K

Krazzley

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Jul 13, 2013
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Okay that is good to know. How exactly will this process work? I'm assuming I just install the motherboard and choose to boot up into Windows. What will it do instead of bringing me to my desktop?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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That depends.

Trying to boot from the old HDD, with the old Windows install and a new motherboard may or may not work. If it 'works', it may say it is not activated. In which case try the online activation. If that does not work, try the phone option.

Be prepared for a fresh install if all else fails.
 
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JDFan

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Jan 5, 2010
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Chances are you will not be able to boot after replacing the MOBO as the new MOBO will use different drivers for the various built in hardware - so you will want to boot from the windows installation disk the first time you boot after changing the MOBO and when asked select the "repair my windows installation" - this will force windows to Reexamine the system hardware and install the various drivers for the new hardware much like it did the first time windows was installed. (Note : it can take awhile for this to happen so be patient ) Once it finishes reinstalling the drivers it should then boot fine but will be deactivated and will tell you you have x number of days to reactivate -- Run the activation wizard and let it try to activate.

One of two things will happen - 1.) it might activate fine and you're done or 2.) activation will fail and you will be connected to an activation rep at which point you'll need to explain why you are reinstalling and answer the questions they ask ( ie. Is the OS being used on more than 1 system, Is the old system it was installed on still in use, etc.) after doing this and explaining the old system MOBO failed and you had to replace it and reinstall the rep will probably give you a valid response code to activate the install (Usually because every once in a while the rep is in a bad mood or being picky and will tell you that you need to buy a new code - in which case just hang up and retry so that you get a different rep and if they still will not activate it ask for a manager and eventually you'll get it activated)
 
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