P8P67-New BIOS, Windows re-activate fails

bigi

Platinum Member
Aug 8, 2001
2,490
156
106
Updated BIOS from 1606 to 1850. Windows said due to hw changes needed to activate and did not complete. Basically, I was offered to buy a new license - WTF.

When reverted back to 1606, all is fine. No need to activate.

So, what should I do? Looks like newer BIOSes will force me to activate, which will fail and I am stuck to 1606 BIOS.
 

abekl

Senior member
Jul 2, 2011
264
0
71
Don't you get the option to call MS's activation number and activate your copy manually with help from a person? Or are you running an OEM copy of Windows?
 

Dahak

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
3,752
25
91
the activation window should give you an option for phone activation if it fails over the internet, 5 minutes and should be done, I have never had any issues with the phone activation. even times when it failed over the internet but worked over the phone before a person.
 

bigi

Platinum Member
Aug 8, 2001
2,490
156
106
What problem are you having that the new BIOS will fix ?

Hope they will update NEC USB 3.0 FW to fix my low speeds. I am not holding my breath though.

I can't do it manually as the mobo has 2xUSB3.0 controllers and manual flashing does not support that.
 

Burner27

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,452
50
101
and how would that affect whether he gets bugged to reactivate?

Because BETA BIOS's change things that the OS uses to evaluate what HW is being used. Change a setting/flag in the BIOS file and the OS thinks new HW was installed or changed.
 
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Burner27

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,452
50
101
What would happen if you renamed the new beta bios to 1606 and reflashed.

Renaming the file does not change the contents of the BIOS file information. If you changed the code in the BIOS file, that would be a different story. Unless you know the code for a BIOS inside and out, do you really want to take a chance on altering the information contained therein and possibly bricking your board?