Re-activating Windows 8.1 ?

Dicehunter

Dicehunter

Dicehunter

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So I swapped out motherboards due to my last one just dying, Literally just swapped one out for an identical one.

Boot up Windows and now my Windows install says it needs to be activated.

Does anyone know how I might do this ? I have my serial but have no idea what to do as when I input it, It says invalid.

Any help is appreciated :)
 
Not sure if it works the same as Windows 7 but I had this often when changing hardware, when I got to the activation screen there was an option to activate by phone, and it gave an 0800 number for you to ring and basically you typed in to your phone all the sets of letters/numbers that were showing on your screen and an automated response would give you the activation code, failing that you could also activate over the phone to a Microsoft advisor, both of these options were no problem but as I say, I've not tried it on Windows 8.1 as yet because I've had no issues.
 
evohicks said:
Not sure if it works the same as Windows 7 but I had this often when changing hardware, when I got to the activation screen there was an option to activate by phone, and it gave an 0800 number for you to ring and basically you typed in to your phone all the sets of letters/numbers that were showing on your screen and an automated response would give you the activation code, failing that you could also activate over the phone to a Microsoft advisor, both of these options were no problem but as I say, I've not tried it on Windows 8.1 as yet because I've had no issues.
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I tried the automated line but it said I might be a victim of software piracy, Guessing because my key is still registered to my old motherboard.
 
It's not that, all it normal asks for is how many computers it's currently installed on, you press 1 and it spits out the activation code,

Are you sure it's a legit code?
If so try and get a human on the phone.
 
I installed Win 8.1 3 times in the space of 2 weeks and on the final installation, was prompted to get an activation code.

Strange it would suggest you have a "pirated" copy! Try and speak to someone if you can!
 
snips86x said:
I installed Win 8.1 3 times in the space of 2 weeks and on the final installation, was prompted to get an activation code.

Strange it would suggest you have a "pirated" copy! Try and speak to someone if you can!
Click to expand...

Maybe because it's not a fresh install ?

I'll do a fresh install in the morning to see if that works.
 
I wouldn't have thought I should matter! Normally it would pickup hardware changes and changing the board would require a key anyway - try it but it's not really ideal!
 
I have just gone through this and was only able to resolve it via a Microsoft web chat. That said it was very easy once I got started.
 
I have had this issue with windows 7 before. Was solved when I went through the phone activation thing. Probably best to try and reinstall it or try to speak to a human. I have found that microsoft live chat to have really helpful advisers.
 
I have changed motherboards three times now and each time I had to re-activate. All I did was call the automated service and follow on screen instructions.
 
I have reactivated my copy of win 8 pro lots of times just rang the number and followed the instructions.

Do you have a full retail copy of windows or is it an OEM? If its a retail then it should work fine to re-install. If its an OEM it won't as its locked to your previous hardware.
 
BaronVonDuncs said:
I have reactivated my copy of win 8 pro lots of times just rang the number and followed the instructions.

Do you have a full retail copy of windows or is it an OEM? If its a retail then it should work fine to re-install. If its an OEM it won't as its locked to your previous hardware.
Click to expand...

Windows 8.1 OEM is different to previous Windows versions, The license is not a 1 use deal this time around :)
 
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