motherboard change

[johnvan44]

i changed the motherboard now i need the windows 8 key so i can reinstall windows from microsoft

[WAWood]

@johnvan44 

Sorry, not going to happen.

The Windows OEM product key is encoded into the firmware of the motherboard.  Under OEM licensing terms, that license belonged to the PC (essentially, the motherboard), not to you.  When you tossed the motherboard, you also tossed the license -- and HP is under no obligation to provide you a second license.

You will now have to go out and purchase your own license.

[TheOldMan]

@WAWoodis correct.  You might stand a chance if you used an exact HP motherboard replacement and call Microsoft.  If that is not the case, then probably not going to happen as already stated.

[johnvan44]

I did use the exact HP replacement motherboard and I did talk to Microsoft. They told me I would have to get the original Windoes 8 key from HP before they would activate my reinstalled Windows

[TheOldMan]

If the motherboard that was used was intended for Windows 8 as was the Pavilion 500-123w, then it would have the activation key imbedded in the motherboard.  This explains the process

https://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios

That key will not work for Windows 8.1, however.  And if it is not there on this motherboard, then you might as well go for a Windows 10 install, because it will need to be purchase.  Just the way it is and OEM license, as already discussed.