Do I need a new product key? Win 7

Dis86 · 31 May 2015 at 13:13

Just bought a new motherboard - keeping existing HDD.

Was looking at doing a fresh install of windows 7 however when I've gone to download the ISO from the windows site it's saying my key isn't valid and that it's OEM only.

Do I have to buy a new retail version of it? Or will it be ok if I do an install from disc and is it just the MS website being a pain?

lsg1r · 31 May 2015 at 14:49

iirc the oem can be used if the motherboard has failed, it did I assume, although you may need to ring up and 'prove it'

Pretty sure thats all I did when I had to swap out the motherboard although I didn't change anything else. It's the motherboard that is associated with the code not the hard drive.

Dis86 · 31 May 2015 at 14:51

No - new model of board and new CPU as an upgrade although yes, there are problems with the current one. It's definitely faulty.

lsg1r · 31 May 2015 at 16:27

It's a bit 'grey' then, technically you'd need a new license although if it's like me and some of my older rigs a replacement motherboard actually needs new cpu/ram as they don't really make the motherboard or cpus (s939) anymore (I think there's one asrock motherboard if I can find it).

You could try ringing up and saying it's faulty and see how you go.... (pretty sure it's still automated).

Alternatively although not checked this you could possibly try the windows 10 beta until it comes out....I'm not 100% sure how the 'free upgrades' are going to work

Dis86 · 31 May 2015 at 18:12

Spoke to a lady at Microsoft who said because my old mobo is way past it's best it's not a problem. She sent me a link to download the ISO's too since I've lost my original disc.