Windows 8 Activation? Pulling my hair out

[mikeo01]

Hey all,

Going slightly mad about this. I used to have my Windows 8 install on a hard drive, moved it over to my SSD, all fine.

Now, I have a different motherboard. So why is the activation telling me it's already in use on another PC? It's the same SSD, and from what I recall the Windows 8 Pro upgrade key is in fact a retail key (so it isn't embedded into the BIOS).

Tried their phone activation thing, but I know they're only active in the week days.


Any other method I could try? I've got everything up and running now and don't fancy another (6th time) install

I don't see the problem, it's the same SSD. I've tried installing just 8, installing Win7 then Win8, Win8 and Win8 again.

Cheers all

[kalniel]

Windows pretty much classes a new motherboard as a new PC. HDDs/SSDs are rather more transient.

[mikeo01]

Though in the EULA it specifically says that the product key can be transferred to a new computer as long as it's only one copy and only owned by the owner?

No idea if this is relevant, but Windows auto configured itself with the new computer. Obviously I rebooted and did a fresh install, could that possibly be the cause?

Oh how I hate software!

[kalniel]

Though in the EULA it specifically says that the product key can be transferred to a new computer as long as it's only one copy and only owned by the owner?

Yep, but may need to be de-activated from the old computer - they can do this at their end if you can't 'uninstall/deactivate' on the old computer any more.

No idea if this is relevant, but Windows auto configured itself with the new computer. Obviously I rebooted and did a fresh install, could that possibly be the cause?

Can't think it would be, but I'm not up to scratch on windows 8 DRM.

[mikeo01]

Well, essentially I completely forgot. I simply unplugged everything, moved everything over to my new motherboard and then it auto configured. I did a fresh install using this motherboard.

Then when I realised I installed the SSD back to the old motherboard and used slmgr -upk to uninstall the product key. Reflashed the BIOS and rebooted.

Finally moved everything back into this motherboard in order to set everything up again.

In my mind surely it's all uninstalled.

I'll have to give them a ring Tuesday, I sure hope it won't be a problem because full retail is £100 or so isn't it? Ouch

[kalniel]

I'll have to give them a ring Tuesday, I sure hope it won't be a problem because full retail is £100 or so isn't it? Ouch

Upgrade takes on the license of the OS you upgraded from. So if you were upgrading from a retail OS then the upgrade will also be retail and you'll have no problems.

[mikeo01]

Well I actually upgraded from a trial version of Windows 7 when I had my SSD and it worked fine.

[Jonj1611]

Tried their phone activation thing, but I know they're only active in the week days.

The phone line automated service is 24/7, I recently installed 8.1 and it said my key was in use on another computer, it wasn't at all, its the exact same computer but phone the activation line, went through the automated questions and got the activation key.

[mikeo01]

I did give it a go, it kept having a go at me

Problem now is I think they recognise my number because it goes straight to the support line (which is inactive).

So I can't actually get back to the automated service.

EDIT: I'll give it another go tomorrow, hopefully it'll reset and I can use it again

[kalniel]

Well I actually upgraded from a trial version of Windows 7 when I had my SSD and it worked fine.

So you don't actually have a valid license? Well, you help keep the prices high for the rest of us I guess.

[mikeo01]

No, I was with Vista, but had a Windows 7 OEM disc lying around that I decided to use for the Windows 8 upgrade (for the fresh install).

I had a valid Vista license.

[kalniel]

No, I was with Vista, but had a Windows 7 OEM disc lying around that I decided to use for the Windows 8 upgrade (for the fresh install).

I had a valid Vista license.

Ah cool So if you have a retail vista license then your windows 8 upgrade will also be retail.

[mikeo01]

Yeah but that's the problem, it won't accept it. Apparently it's already in use which doesn't make sense.

I'll have to see if that automated system will let me use it again tomorrow hopefully it'll work.

EDIT: Well I have XP lying around, wonder if that would work.

[Jonj1611]

Have you tried generating a new product key on the activation screen and then redo the automated phone line?

[mikeo01]

Oh I didn't think of that. Will try that, will post back now in min

[Jonj1611]

Good luck