Windows 8.1 activation

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Few months ago i bought a pre built pc with windows 8.1 already installed. I started to upgrade it i recently bought a new msi h97 gaming 3 motherboard but after i installed my new motherboard i get a screen that pops up every hour or so saying i have to activate my windows but i dont have the activation key
What do i do??
Thanks for any help

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

Prebuilt license is tied to the old motherboard , you need to buy a new license.

Don't bother with 8.1 , purchase a 10 license.

Silverbear · Nov 3, 2016

Pre-builts come with OEM versions of Windows that are tied to the motherboard they're activated on. Your only options to getting Windows activated is to buy another key or call Microsoft and explain the situation, sometimes they're nice and give you another OEM key.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Is there anything else i can do? I cant afford new windows

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

Nope , you need a new license , the prebuilt license isn't transferable.

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

You can try calling Microsoft for activation , sometimes they are a little lenient and will help , but no guarantee there , but worth a try.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Alright then thanks SR-17

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

If i buy windows 10 do have to buy a sustem builders version or something?
Lol sorry this is my first pc im still learning

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

Retail is just fine.

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

http://www.computersonly.co.za/productdetail.aspx?sku=DSPWIN10HOME&categoryId=51472
This version is fine , use 64 bit.

Try Microsoft first , might save you some cash if they will help , sometimes they will.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Alright thanks alot for the help

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

I hope they \ Microsoft will help , if not I posted a version above that will help.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Do i have to completely format my hdd ?

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

I would buy 10 , then backup and clean install.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Will it be fine if i use an hdd with windows 10 on it? My mom bought a used pc with windows 10 on it can i maybe use that hdd in my pc??

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

That license belongs to that other PC , unless she bought the license you can't move it.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

It wasnt a prebuilt pc if that matters?

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

If it's not a prebuilt then you have a chance of it activating , but you would still need a clean install. You would need the key for installation.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Is there a way of finding the key on the pc cause the guy we bought it from never gave us the key

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Should find it.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Thanks alot! One more question is when i get the message asking to activate it it takes me to a screen where i have to type on the cd key isnt there a way of finding the cd key on the pc?

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

You need to use the software to bring it up , write it down , for installation.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15088/windows-create-installation-media
Read this info ^

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

I meant on my pc like every hour when the message pops up telling me to activate my windows it wants me to type in my cd key cant i somehow get it?

Dark Lord of Tech · Nov 3, 2016

Nope because there isn't a valid one to use , that's why you have the pop up.

swaggamuffin · Nov 3, 2016

Ok then but what do i do if i dont get help from microsoft? I wont be able to buy windows anytime soon itll be a few months before id be able to

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