Replacing faulty motherboard

[malcolmf]

I should have know, when I first powered up mobo, in new build, that I was going to have problems. I thought I saw a tiny blink of light, near the top left hand corner of chip-set. I put it down to my imagination, and ploughed on, as everything SEEMED to work. Mistake, but water under the bridge. Prob my own fault for using cheap mobo.
So need to replace mobo (with a not cheapee this time). It's not my first build, so physically doing it isn't a prob, but as it's my first failed mobo, not sure on software side. Obviously going to have to get Windows 10 licence transferred, but not sure how to initially boot OS, with new mobo. Presumably can't just wipe C: drive, and boot from the CD-ROM as with a completely new set-up. Other software won't be an issue, as haven't yet added anything much. Any advice appreciated, on that, and how to actually get Wind licence transferred (I obviously won't have fully working PC when I'm looking to do that)

 

[Hamperking68]

Just replace the board and use the Microsoft live-chat for your country and explain to them you changed the board and they'll sort out the key.

The chat can be found here:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/

Windows may install some new drivers on startup but it should run normally as-long as you don't change the CPU.

 

[smorizio]

if a chip smoked and it new contact the seler for replacment. if the seller wont help a lot of good vendors if you speak with customer relation not the person who picks up the phone. most times they will give you a one shot rma even if you fry a mb due to error.

 

[malcolmf]

Just replace the board and use the Microsoft live-chat for your country and explain to them you changed the board and they'll sort out the key.

The chat can be found here:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/

Windows may install some new drivers on startup but it should run normally as-long as you don't change the CPU.

Will the fact that my Windows is OEM (with self-build) make any difference? Also, do I need to do anything for first boot, with new mobo? Presumably don't need to use Windows CD-ROM, again, but will it just be able to communicate with OS, that's on SSD, at least to get to "input product key"? I do have bootable media disk (Acronis). Sorry, but obviously want to be sure of what I'm doing, BEFORE I have a PC in front of me, with no OS. Whilst this isn't my first build, you can probably tell, it IS first time I've had to change mobo. Many thanks for help.

 

[USAFRet]

Will the fact that my Windows is OEM (with self-build) make any difference? Also, do I need to do anything for first boot, with new mobo? Presumably don't need to use Windows CD-ROM, again, but will it just be able to communicate with OS, that's on SSD, at least to get to "input product key"? I do have bootable media disk (Acronis). Sorry, but obviously want to be sure of what I'm doing, BEFORE I have a PC in front of me, with no OS. Whilst this isn't my first build, you can probably tell, it IS first time I've had to change mobo. Many thanks for help.

For an actually broken and replaced motherboard, MS is very lenient on OEM licenses.
Will you need to reinstall? Given an exact replacement, probably not.
If it ends up as a different motherboard, maybe.


Which OS is this?

 

[malcolmf]

Will the fact that my Windows is OEM (with self-build) make any difference? Also, do I need to do anything for first boot, with new mobo? Presumably don't need to use Windows CD-ROM, again, but will it just be able to communicate with OS, that's on SSD, at least to get to "input product key"? I do have bootable media disk (Acronis). Sorry, but obviously want to be sure of what I'm doing, BEFORE I have a PC in front of me, with no OS. Whilst this isn't my first build, you can probably tell, it IS first time I've had to change mobo. Many thanks for help.

For an actually broken and replaced motherboard, MS is very lenient on OEM licenses.
Will you need to reinstall? Given an exact replacement, probably not.
If it ends up as a different motherboard, maybe.


Which OS is this?

 

[malcolmf]

Windows 10 Homex64. Because I wasn't going to need Sli, or a lot of features, used much more basic board than I have on past builds. I know electronics kit is always a bit of a lottery, but intend to upgrade to decent ASUS board, on the basis that they always seem good quality, and have always used ASUS in past, with zero problems. If, at the end of the day, I lose the price of original board, that's a price I'm prepared to pay, for confidence I'm going to end up with working system. Just not sure which "route" to take, when booting up, first time with new mobo installed.

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 10 Homex64. Because I wasn't going to need Sli, or a lot of features, used much more basic board than I have on past builds. I know electronics kit is always a bit of a lottery, but intend to upgrade to decent ASUS board, on the basis that they always seem good quality, and have always used ASUS in past, with zero problems. If, at the end of the day, I lose the price of original board, that's a price I'm prepared to pay, for confidence I'm going to end up with working system. Just not sure which "route" to take, when booting up, first time with new mobo installed.

Can you log into your MS account, and see if the original system is listed there?
If it is...you can transfer that license to new hardware.
If not, you'll need to call MS or their chat line.

That's for the licensing.


For the operation...it may need a clean install, it may not.
Only way to know is to connect everything and see what happens.

Either way...if it boots up just fine, or you need to do a clean install.
It will show as Unactivated, due to the new motherboard.

If, as above, you have that linked to your MS account, you can transfer it to the new board yourself.
If it is not, you'll probably have to talk to MS to get it transferred to he new hardware.

For the licensing/activation:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

For the clean install, if necessary:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[malcolmf]

Windows 10 Homex64. Because I wasn't going to need Sli, or a lot of features, used much more basic board than I have on past builds. I know electronics kit is always a bit of a lottery, but intend to upgrade to decent ASUS board, on the basis that they always seem good quality, and have always used ASUS in past, with zero problems. If, at the end of the day, I lose the price of original board, that's a price I'm prepared to pay, for confidence I'm going to end up with working system. Just not sure which "route" to take, when booting up, first time with new mobo installed.

Can you log into your MS account, and see if the original system is listed there?
If it is...you can transfer that license to new hardware.
If not, you'll need to call MS or their chat line.

That's for the licensing.


For the operation...it may need a clean install, it may not.
Only way to know is to connect everything and see what happens.

Either way...if it boots up just fine, or you need to do a clean install.
It will show as Unactivated, due to the new motherboard.

If, as above, you have that linked to your MS account, you can transfer it to the new board yourself.
If it is not, you'll probably have to talk to MS to get it transferred to he new hardware.

For the licensing/activation:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

For the clean install, if necessary:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[malcolmf]

Logged into MS account. My PC, together with its motherboard are listed, so hopefully re-activation won't be problem. Fingers crossed. Thanks for help.