Installing my Windows 8.1 on a different motherboard? Am I in trouble?

NeilF · 24 Nov 2014 at 18:24

So set up a new system, and the motherboard died that day...

I'm getting a new (different MB) to try again...

When I install Windows 8.1 on the system again, now with a different MB, is it going to have a hissy fit about it already being registered?

NeilF · 24 Nov 2014 at 19:49

ED209 said:
should not, I went from a AMD processor, mobo and ram to a INTEL processor, mobo and ram without having to do a re install of the OS

So you recon, just boot up on the original install (on the HD)?

The original install was on an MSI Z97 Gamer 5 motherboard... (which died)

It will now be on an ASUS Z97-A motherboard...

All other hardware is the same. So I have the choice to:-
1) Wipe the HD and re-install?
2) Just turn on and go?
3) See if the Windows 8.1 disc gives me a repair option to re-install?

NeilF · 24 Nov 2014 at 21:36

ED209 said:
put the new mobo in, connect the drives up and turn it on, as others have said you may need to re activate windows but that should be it

So it just gives you a telephone number to dial in a message from Windows does it?

NeilF · 25 Nov 2014 at 08:20

ED209 said:
it will give you the option to activate online, if it fails it should ask if you want to do it by phone

OK... I'll try and boot off the Windows disk on the first run and see if I can do a repair installation... Get rid of all that MSI "stuff" off my machine!

NeilF · 27 Nov 2014 at 09:12

So... Did a repair install... After an hour or so it asked me to activate Windows.

It gave a telno to dial along with 9 x 7 digit numbers.

I phoned.

I typed them all in (on the phone pad)

It said it give me an authentication number back.

It said it couldn't generate one so would put me through to an operator.

Music played...

An Indian voice came online, with the music still playing. He couldn't hear me so hanged up.

I phoned.

I typed them all in (on the phone pad)

It said it give me an authentication number back.

It said it couldn't generate one so would put me through to an operator.

Music played...

An Indian voice came online.

I had to tell him the 9 x 7 digit numbers.

He then had to hell me an 8 x 6 (7?) digit number, in a thick Indian accent that was hard to understand.

Is this really the best system? At the very least what was the point of me typing in 63 digits twice when they were ignored!