OMEN 45L after warranty – Motherboard replaced, Windows 11 license gone, SSD defective – what now?

[bolli20000]

Hi everyone,

I could really use some advice – maybe someone here has been through something similar. My OMEN by HP 45L Gaming Desktop broke down shortly after the warranty expired: both the motherboard and the WD_Black SSD failed at the same time. Yeah, double trouble.

A local repair shop replaced the motherboard (not an original HP part but compatible) and handed me back the defective SSD. The system is running again, but now I have two problems:

Reactivate Windows 11 License
The original setup came with pre-installed Windows 11. After the motherboard swap, the OS license is no longer recognized – which makes sense, since Microsoft treats the new board as a new device.
→ Is there an official way to transfer or reactivate the Windows 11 license in this case? Can HP or Microsoft help here?

Defective SSD – Warranty claim possible?
The WD_Black SSD (original component of the OMEN system) died alongside the motherboard.
→ Do I contact HP or Western Digital for a warranty replacement?
→ Does the warranty still apply now that the SSD has been removed from the original PC?

And just to make things even more frustrating:
Trying to reach HP Support has been a real pain. Between automated systems and confusing menus, it's been hard to talk to a real person or get any clear guidance.

Would really appreciate any info or shared experiences you folks can share. Thanks a lot in advance!

Best regards,
Thomas

[TheOldMan]

As you found, the Microsoft License is linked to the motherboard and cannot be transferred.  If it was a retail License, it would/could transfer but I suspect it was a HP bulk License.  You might get some progress if you actually talk to an agent from Microsoft.  Good Luck with that venture.  You can get a reasonable cost reduction with a bulk key.  I found descent pricing from several vendors for Windows 11 Pro.

As far as the SSD - same advice.  Talk with an agent from WD.  FYI: Replacement cost is relatively low for 1TB models.

I suspect another hardware device failed that caused both of those items to fail together.  Was anything else replaced?

Good luck with this adventure.  Please report back with the results, for the sake of others following this on the forum.

[bolli20000]

Thanks, theOldMan — I totally agree. It was an HP OEM license, so not transferable. The SSD was also OEM and out of warranty. So yeah, all replacement costs are on me. I’ll check with MS and WD just in case, but I’m not expecting much. Appreciate the input!

[Bill_To]

Greetings @bolli20000 

As @TheOldMan has stated. Good luck talking to someone at Microsoft.

I just replaced/upgraded  a working MB. I have a Retail W10/W11 Pro product key (digital license). Plus the digital license was linked to my Microsoft account.

And I deactivated the product key while using the old MB before installing the new MB

Can't activate Windows on the new MB.

I have tried everything I could think of to talk to Microsoft or activate Windows to no avail. The activation by phone service seems to be a thing of the past.

I am not going to pay Microsoft $200.00 for a new product key.

I might try a discount OEM Windows product key site to see how this works out. These sites can be dodgy so it's Caveat Emptor.

Customer Service is an oxymoron these days.

@bolli20000, let the Forum know if you find a way to talk to someone at Microsoft. 

Regards