Motherboard change after 2 days

Syd · Nov 2, 2022

Finally decided to upgrade my system. Installed Windows 10 pro, upgraded to Windows 11, activated no problem, only to discover I have a faulty Motherboard -- CPU Core temp shows zero (MSI Pro B660M-A WIFI DDR4) So begs the question, will I get away with my old serial number once I replace the motherboard.

jimbo45 · Nov 2, 2022

Syd said:
Finally decided to upgrade my system. Installed Windows 10 pro, upgraded to Windows 11, activated no problem, only to discover I have a faulty Motherboard -- CPU Core temp shows zero (MSI Pro B660M-A WIFI DDR4) So begs the question, will I get away with my old serial number once I replace the motherboard.

Best thing is to "Image your system" --assuming it's still working -- and then restore to new one.

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Nov 2, 2022

Yes, if possible, imaging is a good idea but if you replace it with identical mobo and no other hardware changes, you should be fine. At the very least you might have to call MS, but probably not.

FreeBooter · Nov 2, 2022

In this guide, i will guide you on creating backup image of Windows 11.

Ghot · Nov 2, 2022

Syd said:
Finally decided to upgrade my system. Installed Windows 10 pro, upgraded to Windows 11, activated no problem, only to discover I have a faulty Motherboard -- CPU Core temp shows zero (MSI Pro B660M-A WIFI DDR4) So begs the question, will I get away with my old serial number once I replace the motherboard.

Where are you seeing a CPU core temp of zero?
In the BIOS?
Via some 3rd party program?
From some MSI utility?

Did this motherboard show CPU core temp previously or has it "never" shown the temp?

NavyLCDR · Nov 2, 2022

Even if you image your current system and replace the motherboard with the exact same make and model, Windows 10/11 will detect the motherboard change and deactivate. You will need a method to reactivate Windows 10/11. If your existing Windows 10/11 is activated with a non-generic Product Key, I highly suggest that you write the existing product key down and then change the existing product key on the old system to the generic product key matching the edition of Windows 10/11 you have installed. This will help to ensure that your existing non-generic product key can be reused to activate Windows on the new motherboard. Also, take note of this:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.

support.microsoft.com

The generic product keys for Windows 10/11 can be found here (they are the same for both Windows 10 and 11):

Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

List of Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

www.tenforums.com

So members here my recommend that you deactivate the old system by removing all product keys from it using slmgr /upk. Do NOT do that! That could result in your Windows 10/11 digital license link to be removed from your MS account and make it impossible to transfer the license using the method Microsoft has provided.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2022

Syd said:
Finally decided to upgrade my system. Installed Windows 10 pro, upgraded to Windows 11, activated no problem, only to discover I have a faulty Motherboard -- CPU Core temp shows zero (MSI Pro B660M-A WIFI DDR4) So begs the question, will I get away with my old serial number once I replace the motherboard.

Caveats - the below statement applies to retail licenses, NOT OEM (using the license the PC came with). If upgraded to retail and signed into your Microsoft Account (MAS) to activate Windows that will become your retail key associate with you MSA.

Now... If you use/used a Microsoft Account to log into Windows, that action will also activate Windows 11.

When doing a clean install, you can skip the license requirement by checking the "I don't have a product Key" link. Windows will continue to install. When you sign into Windows with your MSA, Windows will (should) also be activated for the product tied to the key.

The MSA route works and has worked for years it's even posted in Brinks tutorial - Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

I use this method for every new build / clean install I do. In fact, I did a clean install of Win 22H2, and it activated exactly as posted.

And as always.... backup / image before doing anything.

NavyLCDR · Nov 2, 2022

Dru2 said:
Caveats - the below statement applies to retail licenses, NOT OEM (using the license the PC came with). If upgraded to retail and signed into your Microsoft Account (MAS) to activate Windows that will become your retail key associate with you MSA.

Microsoft dropped the differences between OEM and Retail licenses a long time ago.

Scott · Nov 2, 2022

Syd said:
will I get away with my old serial number once I replace the motherboard.

Shouldn't be a issue using the exact motherboard as replacement.

I just recently upgraded to a completely different motherboard/CPU. Didn't clean install, just put it together to see what would happen. Upon first startup "Getting things Ready" but on a black screen as opposed to a blue one like during Windows setup, and no percent counter. Restart, Getting things ready, login screen. Said my PIN was no longer valid, reset PIN. Login to MS account, verification email sent to email associated with account. After all this it showed me the reset pin box, with which I reset my pin. Upon completion, I was at my desktop. Was activated with digital license. I had to install a couple of drivers to clean up Device Manager. All said and done it was really simple, and my computer runs just like before, but faster!

Scott · Nov 2, 2022

Question, do you see a CPU temp in UEFI/BIOS?

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2022

NavyLCDR said:
Microsoft dropped the differences between OEM and Retail licenses a long time ago.

Cool. Didn't know that as I only deal in retail. Anyway, that shouldn't be an issue then - MSA.

Syd · Nov 3, 2022

All sorted, New Motherboard installed, booted computer up and windows showed as activated, I have now done a Win 11 clean install and again Windows activated.
Regards the CPU temp, I was taking the reading from the BIOS. Core Temp did not read, however CPU socket temp was OK.

New motherboard and no "issues" now, 1st time with Windows 11, Where is everything, I installed Office 2010, Canon Printer etc, all hidden. LOL. I am now trying to remove log on PIN etc.

barman58 · Nov 3, 2022

A log-on PIN is one of, if not the best protection against remote hacking attacks as it never leaves the local system.

I always retain the option as even a single character entry can help protect against remote access

Obviously it's up to you what protection you use

Winuser · Nov 3, 2022

barman58 said:
A log-on PIN is one of, if not the best protection against remote hacking attacks as it never leaves the local system.

I always retain the option as even a single character entry can help protect against remote access

Obviously it's up to you what protection you use

I use a pin on all of my devices except for the mini PC that I use for streaming. I have it set to auto log-in and start Mezzmo when ever it powers on.

wordsworth · Nov 3, 2022

Syd said:
All sorted, New Motherboard installed, booted computer up and windows showed as activated, I have now done a Win 11 clean install and again Windows activated.
Regards the CPU temp, I was taking the reading from the BIOS. Core Temp did not read, however CPU socket temp was OK.

New motherboard and no "issues" now, 1st time with Windows 11, Where is everything, I installed Office 2010, Canon Printer etc, all hidden. LOL. I am now trying to remove log on PIN etc.

Glad you got it sorted and in a seemingly easy manner. In October 2021 when I built System 1 under My Computers I had a problem with the first motherboard, got another of the same make, model, etc. and put the M.2 drive in the new motherboard with Win 10 already installed and at startup Windows recognized the motherboard change and would not activate; so I called Microsoft and got it sorted with I think four number codes of nine digits. Easy enough but I'd rather not have to make the call.

tinmar49 · Nov 6, 2022

I was running W10 PRO 64 on an Asus AM3+ board in the insider program. The board had originally used W8, I believe, and I started getting problems until I decided to give up the struggle and change the board. The new board is AM4, so the processor and the ram had to be changed also. I reloaded a fresh W10 ISO and when it wouldn't activate, the option of actually speaking to Microsoft came up. "Have you changed the hardware", I was asked and upon replying, he said thats ok then and windows was activated. I knew nothing about W11 until much later, but was pleased to find that my choice is fully complient with W11 and here I am now.

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