Replacing windows 10 after motherboard change

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

AMadWalnut

Honorable
Sep 8, 2014
27
0
10,530
Recently my motherboard ( Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H) broke after removing the graphics card. The plastic cover for the PCI-E slot came out with it, a common problem for the model apparently since I found two other threads discussing it. It's become apparent that the only way to restore my second PCI-E slot and thus re-enable crossfire is to replace the entire motherboard.

My question is this; I have a copy of windows 7 on my current computer that I upgraded to windows 10. I still have the disc for windows 7 (OEM version) and the code. After replacing the motherboard will installing windows 10 be as simple as running the disc, entering the code again and then redownloading windows 10?

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
JackNaylorPE


I have successfully activated Windows on numerous occasions when replacing 3-4 year old motherboards. More than half included a new CPU platform (1156 => 1155). I had no issues re-activating Win 7 electronically. However, in these cases i rep;aced an Asus board with an Asus same class board .... again for Gigabyte, again for Asrock. Everything else remained the same. What happened...
Sort by date Sort by votes
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960
I have users do the same thing by not remembering to press the lever to release the locking tab when removing the card.

If you replace with same MoBo, you will not have an issue. Windows will know something happened, but not enough will have changed so as to trigger a reactivation.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

AMadWalnut

Honorable
Sep 8, 2014
27
0
10,530
Thanks for the replies.

Firstly, I did push the lever down all the way. It appears to be something that happens with this particular model of mobo. I appreciate some people may forget to do it by accident but this was definitely not my fault. The board is about 4 years old so repeated removal of the GPUs might've worn it down, I don't know.

I will not be replacing it with the same model, I'm thinking of moving onto the MSI Z87-G43 ATX Motherboard since it's a decent price, allows for crossfire and I'm not overclocking.

So the consensus is I will have to plead with Microsoft support? If they re-enable my copy of windows 7 will it still be the same process of reupgrading to win10?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,329
17,830
184,590


If you change to a completely different motherboard, probability of success with activation goes down a little bit.
And probability of having to do a reinstall goes UP.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ko888

ko888

Titan
Feb 18, 2009
16,708
41
84,990


So you're replacing both the motherboard and CPU (i.e. from Socket 1155 to Socket 1150)?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

Titan
BANNED
Oct 30, 2004
32,255
14
99,960


I have successfully activated Windows on numerous occasions when replacing 3-4 year old motherboards. More than half included a new CPU platform (1156 => 1155). I had no issues re-activating Win 7 electronically. However, in these cases i rep;aced an Asus board with an Asus same class board .... again for Gigabyte, again for Asrock. Everything else remained the same. What happened was not enough was changed to trigger the reactivation and I never had to pick up a phone. Look at if from MS's side and as their documentation states, they do allow for warranrty replacements and therefore you'd expect the activation logic test to say "does this look like a warranty replacement ?" ... and yes, it would recognize and 1155 board as a replacement even with a new CPU because 1156 boards ceased being available, so the manufacturer would offer the 1155 as a replacement I would not expect that 'to work" using a different brand.

I can't speak to Win10 as we have advised our users not to upgrade at this point in time, however my understanding is, once you convert to Win 10, your Win 7 license is dead.

I would recommend something like the Gigabyte Gaming 5 ... 6 months ago it was $100.... now because of demand it's risen about 35%. IAgain, I have replaced MoBo / CU combos 3 times and neither was a warranty replacement.... each time the user installed a cooler (Hyper 212) and over tightened the hold downs damaging the MoBo. They all activated electronically. If it doesn't activate, at least you have a shot at arguing that this is a replacement motherboard. with the MSi, you lose that option.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom