Windows 10 activation fails after motherboard change

[Larry Sabo]

Customer's Dell XPS with Win 7 Home premium COA had been upgraded to Win 10 some time ago (no idea when). The motherboard failed and was not repairable. New motherboard installed and PC won't activate when I enter the COA product key during the activation attempt, says the MS servers are busy and to try again later, and also shows an error code 0xC004F050.

I'll try again tomorrow but I suspect she's out of luck. Following the "I changed hardware on this device recently" link, I entered her MS account okay but it still gives the same servers busy message. She used the PC in local account mode, not MS account, so her activation key is not associated with her MS account. Tried activating by telephone but the Product ID format is not the same as required during the call. (I don't think Product ID is the term they used.) My colleague who replaced the motherboard after finding it was not repairable, tells me it will only boot in RAID mode, not AHCI, but I doubt that has confounded the activation process.

Any suggestions?

 

[sapphirescales]

The COA license lives and dies by the motherboard. You need a new license. In the past, you could use phone activation to activate, but Microsoft doesn't allow phone activation when the key you used when you originally installed Windows 10 was a Windows 7 or Windows 8 key. Go ahead - type slui 04 into the run command and it will do nothing. Now do the same thing on a computer that originally came with Windows 10 and wasn't originally activated with a Windows 7 or Windows 8 key. The activation window will come up like it should (if the computer you try this on is already activated, it will bring up the activation window and say that Windows has already been activated).

 

[Sky-Knight]

Yep, license is in the mobo. Though, if it's got a key on it a fresh install with the OE key off the case should work. But, you will have to use that key during a fresh install, no other context will activate. But, technically the license is dead, it needs replacing.

 

[sapphirescales]

Yep, license is in the mobo. Though, if it's got a key on it a fresh install with the OE key off the case should work. But, you will have to use that key during a fresh install, no other context will activate.

No, it won't. The key has already been used once to upgrade another motherboard to Windows 10. He's dead, Jim. There is NO WAY to use this key except to do a fresh install of Windows 7 and STAY on Windows 7. You'll also have to use phone activation to activate it, and you can't upgrade it to Windows 10 again (it will refuse to activate once you upgrade).

Does that mean you could throw in a spare HDD and do a clean installation of Windows 10 using the OEM Windows 7 key to create a Windows 10 licence linked to the motherboard, then put the original HDD back in and have it activate using that new licence? It's a bit of a song and a dance, but everyone likes singing and dancing...

Nope, that won't work either. Microsoft only allows you to activate ONE motherboard with a Windows 7 key. Once that motherboard has been activated, it's impossible to activate a different motherboard unless you do a fresh install of Windows 7 and STAY on Windows 7 (if you upgrade it to Windows 10, it won't activate). And you'll also have to use phone activation in order for Windows 7 to actually activate.

Microsoft has been remarkably generous with what it lets us get away with when it comes to Windows 10 licenses, but they have taken a VERY hard stance against people using a Windows 7/8 key to activate Windows 10 on more than one motherboard. It makes sense. Imagine all the old Windows 7 boxes out there and all those keys that people could post online by the millions. Nobody would ever buy Windows 10 if all you had to do instead was buy some $20 piece of junk computer off eBay or Craigslist and use the COA to activate a fresh install of Windows 10 on your new gaming rig. In Microsoft's eyes, that's exactly what you're trying to do here.

This is another reason why Microsoft forced Windows 10 onto so many machines. If you find an old Windows 7 machine that has NEVER been upgraded to Windows 10, you can use it's COA on a new motherboard and it will activate. But if it was ever upgraded to Windows 10 in the past (even if it's been wiped out or downgraded back to Windows 7 after it was previously upgraded), it will not activate on another motherboard.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Does that mean you could throw in a spare HDD and do a clean installation of Windows 10 using the OEM Windows 7 key to create a Windows 10 licence linked to the motherboard, then put the original HDD back in and have it activate using that new licence? It's a bit of a song and a dance, but everyone likes singing and dancing...

Not that I've seen, in the cases when I have Windows 10 activation issues and I have to resort to a 7 or 8 key, the only circumstance wherein the activation works is a fresh installation. Another installation being moved into place has never worked for me.

I haven't actually had this specific thing happen, yet mainboard faults being the rare thing they are. The only case I've had mainboard failure was in a refurb that had a Win 10 refurb COA on it... that lit up just fine on reinstall. What SaphireScales reports makes a ton of sense, but I've never needed to deal with it. Or I should say... I've never had cause to. The only mainboards I've lost in the last decade or so are in ancient machines that have no business going back into service. The unit in question was replaced with either a new unit, or a refurb with a refurb 10 COA attached.

BUT, I did have an entire rack of Lenovo systems with Win 8 Pro COAs in the EFIs. Those would not activate unless the appropriate key was provided during installation. No amount of effort after install would result in an activation. A fresh installation with a properly configured USB key to pull the COA from the BIOS worked. After that first install the "I don't have a CD key" button worked.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. It looks to me like it's going to need a new Win10 license, which is $189 in the MS Store or $150 at CanadaComputers, plus HST and both CAD. This is why I try to avoid replacing motherboards.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Microsoft only allows you to activate ONE motherboard with a Windows 7 key. Once that motherboard has been activated, it's impossible to activate a different motherboard unless you do a fresh install of Windows 7 and STAY on Windows 7 (if you upgrade it to Windows 10, it won't activate). And you'll also have to use phone activation in order for Windows 7 to actually activate.

This sounds like her only alternative to buying a new Win 10 license. If she's lucky, an "upgrade" install of Win 7 using the COA on the case will activate and she (I) won't have to do program re-installation and data transfer to a fresh install. The cost (my fixed-rate charge) is almost the same ($125 CAD) so a new Win 10 license makes more sense. I suspect an upgrade to Win 7 won't activate, since it's not a fresh install.

 

[Porthos]

I would call MS Canada: 1-877-568-2495 and explain your situation.

OR
The Help App is usually fast as well and can be started at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/?ln=en-us.

You can also skip the Help app and load Support in your web browser as shown by the arrow below.

 

[seedubya]

Customer's Dell XPS with Win 7 Home premium COA had been upgraded to Win 10 some time ago (no idea when). The motherboard failed and was not repairable. New motherboard installed and PC won't activate when I enter the COA product key during the activation attempt, says the MS servers are busy and to try again later, and also shows an error code 0xC004F050.

I'll try again tomorrow but I suspect she's out of luck. Following the "I changed hardware on this device recently" link, I entered her MS account okay but it still gives the same servers busy message. She used the PC in local account mode, not MS account, so her activation key is not associated with her MS account. Tried activating by telephone but the Product ID format is not the same as required during the call. (I don't think Product ID is the term they used.) My colleague who replaced the motherboard after finding it was not repairable, tells me it will only boot in RAID mode, not AHCI, but I doubt that has confounded the activation process.

Any suggestions?

Larry, if this were me, I would refund the client for everything beyond the initial diagnosis. My reasoning is that it's the tech's job to understand the licensing and that any failure in that regard is the tech's responsibility. I would then (try to) sell her a refurbished machine and transfer her data. You'll be out an hour's labour or whatever on the motherboard but you'll win in the customer service department.

 

[River Valley Computer]

This sounds like her only alternative to buying a new Win 10 license. If she's lucky, an "upgrade" install of Win 7 using the COA on the case will activate and she (I) won't have to do program re-installation and data transfer to a fresh install. The cost (my fixed-rate charge) is almost the same ($125 CAD) so a new Win 10 license makes more sense. I suspect an upgrade to Win 7 won't activate, since it's not a fresh install.

Hi Larry - we ran into this exact situation today. Replaced a defective motherboard with a new one in a Dell Inspiron 15. i called MS and they assisted me. I had to provide them with proof of purchase of the MB. Then they gave me a product key - took abou 15-20 minutes.

 

[nlinecomputers]

This. Call MS support. They will give you a new key if you explain it was for a repair. I have done that twice without much hassle.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I would call MS Canada: 1-877-568-2495 and explain your situation.

OR
The Help App is usually fast as well and can be started at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/?ln=en-us.

You can also skip the Help app and load Support in your web browser as shown by the arrow below.

+1

 

[Markverhyden]

What motherboard? Replacement from Dell? A used one, same part, from somewhere else? A new one that is compatible? OEM licensing specifies that the OS is good for their equipment only so you can't use just any motherboard and stay legit. I've done plenty of swaps with OEM motherboards using the same part and 99.9% I've not had a problem with needing to reregister the OS. The .1% I just reflashed the BIOS and it worked and/or registered.

But, since the W10 upgrade is a license from MS instead of Dell, it's different. But I would expect a phone call to MS to produce a key if it's a repair and you tell them that, especially if it's the same part.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. A valid license key has been installed and Win 10 is now activated. Next time, I'll call MS. I had initially encouraged her to just buy new and let me transfer the data but she wanted it repaired. Because it was not repairable and urgent, my colleague ordered an identical MB with express shipping. The wouldn't have been a problem if it had come from a system that had Win 10 activated, I assume, or if the client hadn't used the free Win 10 upgrade. The customer has picked up the PC and said she is very pleased with the prompt service.

I think I'll not be replacing motherboards in the future.

 

[Porthos]

I think I'll not be replacing motherboards in the future.

I don't even consider replacing a MB unless it is high end and no older than Win 8 bios compatible. Luckily, I do not see many worth it.

 

[Markverhyden]

I'd do motherboards all day long if the price is right. The problem is no one wants to do those repairs anymore.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Why replace a $50 mainboard, then run the risk of needing a $100 copy of windows, when a refurb system core with a Win10 pro sticker on it is $170?

These situations are prime opportunities to get people off garbage, and into a good rig. But yes, fortunately rather rare.

 

[NETWizz]

No, it won't. The key has already been used once to upgrade another motherboard to Windows 10. He's dead, Jim. There is NO WAY to use this key except to do a fresh install of Windows 7 and STAY on Windows 7. You'll also have to use phone activation to activate it, and you can't upgrade it to Windows 10 again (it will refuse to activate once you upgrade).



Nope, that won't work either. Microsoft only allows you to activate ONE motherboard with a Windows 7 key. Once that motherboard has been activated, it's impossible to activate a different motherboard unless you do a fresh install of Windows 7 and STAY on Windows 7 (if you upgrade it to Windows 10, it won't activate). And you'll also have to use phone activation in order for Windows 7 to actually activate.

Microsoft has been remarkably generous with what it lets us get away with when it comes to Windows 10 licenses, but they have taken a VERY hard stance against people using a Windows 7/8 key to activate Windows 10 on more than one motherboard. It makes sense. Imagine all the old Windows 7 boxes out there and all those keys that people could post online by the millions. Nobody would ever buy Windows 10 if all you had to do instead was buy some $20 piece of junk computer off eBay or Craigslist and use the COA to activate a fresh install of Windows 10 on your new gaming rig. In Microsoft's eyes, that's exactly what you're trying to do here.

This is another reason why Microsoft forced Windows 10 onto so many machines. If you find an old Windows 7 machine that has NEVER been upgraded to Windows 10, you can use it's COA on a new motherboard and it will activate. But if it was ever upgraded to Windows 10 in the past (even if it's been wiped out or downgraded back to Windows 7 after it was previously upgraded), it will not activate on another motherboard.

You are absolutely wrong. When the motherboard was replaced BEFORE the first boot, the Dell serial number should be set to match the previous motherboard. If this was done, it wouldn't even know the motherboard was changed.

 

[NETWizz]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. A valid license key has been installed and Win 10 is now activated. Next time, I'll call MS. I had initially encouraged her to just buy new and let me transfer the data but she wanted it repaired. Because it was not repairable and urgent, my colleague ordered an identical MB with express shipping. The wouldn't have been a problem if it had come from a system that had Win 10 activated, I assume, or if the client hadn't used the free Win 10 upgrade. The customer has picked up the PC and said she is very pleased with the prompt service.

I think I'll not be replacing motherboards in the future.

Next time, set the Service Tag (Serial) before you even connect the SATA cable for the hard drive. Usually, this is enough to convince Windows 10 the motherboard was never changed.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Next time, set the Service Tag (Serial)

How is this done? The utility I see mentioned in various sites is said not to work on recent model Dells.