Will I need to reactivate Windows if I replace motherboard with identical model?

[Arcadio]

I've got an Asus p8p67 Deluxe motherboard, and the sata 3 ports are causing me problems, so I've decided to replace it with the revised version, same model.

What problems will I run into? Do I need to reinstall Windows? Or will everything work with no problems. Will I need to deal with reactivation and calls to Microsoft?

My guess is that I won't need to do anything related to the OS. Just replace motherboard and that's it. But I just want to make sure.

Thanks.

 

[Nothinman]

It's impossible to know, it depends on Windows' mood. Sometimes it goes without a hitch and sometimes you have to reactivate, you'll just have to try it and find out.

 

[Matt1970]

At the very least it will probably just find new devices. It really depends on how much they changed in the newer revisions.

 

[Killamaker]

You should be fine. I installed my OEM windows disk on 2 different computers and I continue to do so. I don't know why it works, but hey, it's nice to not have to need two separate disks. The most you should have to do is re enter your CD-key.

 

[JackMDS]

@Arcadio

It's impossible to know, it depends on Windows' mood. Sometimes it goes without a hitch and sometimes you have to reactivate, you'll just have to try it and find out.

+1

The worse thing that would happen is a need for a free call to MS Activation center.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7

 

[Nothinman]

You should be fine. I installed my OEM windows disk on 2 different computers and I continue to do so. I don't know why it works, but hey, it's nice to not have to need two separate disks. The most you should have to do is re enter your CD-key.

So you're perfectly fine using pirated software and telling everyone who will listen about it?

 

[Killamaker]

Got it from newegg, didn't pirate it. Valid Cd-Key, the whole thing. It may just be a glitch with the computer, Iunno.
Anyhows, Like everyone else said, the worse that need be done is call the Microsoft activation service.

 

[Nothinman]

Got it from newegg, didn't pirate it. Valid Cd-Key, the whole thing. It may just be a glitch with the computer, Iunno.
Anyhows, Like everyone else said, the worse that need be done is call the Microsoft activation service.

Using that key on more than one machine is a violation of the license which invalidates it, so yes it's piracy at that point.

 

[Killamaker]

Well I didn't know that. I thought it would tell you the key is invalid and it won't use it. Appreciate you telling me though.

 

[Nothinman]

Well I didn't know that. I thought it would tell you the key is invalid and it won't use it. Appreciate you telling me though.

Ironically MS doesn't enforce their own licenses fully. Activation is supposed to catch you putting a key on multiple machines but doesn't always and OEM licenses are supposed to be tied to the machine they were bought for, not transferable and only for system builders. But they seem willing to let people violate most of those rules in order to sell the licenses.

 

[Killamaker]

I did it Cause I thought the features would just be limited. That is stupid though, They should enforce their Terms. At least I know better now, Lol.

 

[ViRGE]

It's impossible to know, it depends on Windows' mood. Sometimes it goes without a hitch and sometimes you have to reactivate, you'll just have to try it and find out.

If I recall correctly, replacing the motherboard is pretty high on the reactivation list even if the boards are the same model. The big tell that the board is different is that any on-board NIC MAC addresses change, which immediately grabs Windows' attention.

 

[Nothinman]

If I recall correctly, replacing the motherboard is pretty high on the reactivation list even if the boards are the same model. The big tell that the board is different is that any on-board NIC MAC addresses change, which immediately grabs Windows' attention.

Which really shouldn't be the case IMO, but I don't think MS ever full disclosed how the hardware hash is generated so it's still a guessing game for their users.

 

[vcsx]

Ironically MS doesn't enforce their own licenses fully. Activation is supposed to catch you putting a key on multiple machines but doesn't always .

I haven't seen a case is which the activation routine overlooked the use of a serial number in two completely different machines.

 

[Nothinman]

I haven't seen a case is which the activation routine overlooked the use of a serial number in two completely different machines.

I vaguely remember reading that MS drops activation records after so long (6mo or 9mo, something like that) so it seems possible to activate the same key on multiple machines without any calls to MS. But I could be wrong or that could've changed since I read it.