Windows 8 embedded in bios question

[Big Jim]

We currently have a Samsung NP350v5c on the bench with a failed motherboard.
We have replaced it with a new part, however the new part obviously doesn't have the windows 8 key embedded into the bios.
The laptop has no COA stuck on it anywhere.
The old motherboard does not boot at all.

Other than buy a separate copy of Windows 8 what can we do ?
Is the key transferrable without soldering/desoldering the bios chip ?
FWIW Windows still boots but reports that it is not activated.

 

[phaZed]

Down the rabbit hole you go...

Windows 8.1 Secure Boot Key Creation and Management Guidance

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS

 

[Big Jim]

Down the rabbit hole you go...

Windows 8.1 Secure Boot Key Creation and Management Guidance

How To Retrieve Windows 8 OEM Product Key From BIOS

Part of the issue here is that the harddrive is also faulty (read:completely dead)
so at present I cannot retrieve key from bios or harddrive.

If I buy a recovery dick from Samsung will it still need a key in the bios to activate or not ?
It looks like my options here are limited to buying a fresh copy of windows if not.

 

[Martyn]

Part of the issue here is that the harddrive is also faulty (read:completely dead)
so at present I cannot retrieve key from bios or harddrive.

If I buy a recovery dick from Samsung will it still need a key in the bios to activate or not ?
It looks like my options here are limited to buying a fresh copy of windows if not.

I would have thought it would activate. I did a reinstall of Windows 8.1 from restore disks a couple of days ago to a Lenovo and it activated fine.

 

[Porthos]

Try this tool (direct download link) and find the key when MSDM option checked.

Have you tried this tool on this board with windows loaded? Post a screenshot of the results. Be sure to put a check in the MSDM box.

 

[altrenda]

We currently have a Samsung NP350v5c on the bench with a failed motherboard.
We have replaced it with a new part, however the new part obviously doesn't have the windows 8 key embedded into the bios.
The laptop has no COA stuck on it anywhere.
The old motherboard does not boot at all.

Part of the issue here is that the harddrive is also faulty (read:completely dead)
so at present I cannot retrieve key from bios or harddrive.

Wow. A new motherboard and a new drive.

With no motherboard or drive to recover the key from, none of these tools are going to help.

You could try calling Microsoft and see if they will help, but with a new motherboard and drive I bet it would be a new computer to them and require a new license.

 

[pcpete]

Microsoft would only pass it off to the OEM. Your only luck your be to contact Samsung.

 

[nlinecomputers]

You'll have to buy a new copy of Windows. That is the ONLY legal option. Even if this was a Windows 7 system you were required to purchase a new copy of windows. Windows is tied to the motherboard. New motherboard means getting a new copy of Windows, no exception except when you are performing warranty repairs on the motherboard. Of course that was bypassed all the time in Windows 7 by using the product key on the sticker. But it really wasn't legal. Now with Windows 8 you will have to comply with the rules.