Spectre 360 new motherboard + Boot Drive Not Found 3F0

[askmehfirst]

Notebook stopped working and wouldn't turn on.  Replaced motherboard.  The computer will turn on; however, goes to bluescreen with computer stop message and then Boot Device Not Found 3FO.  F2 Diagnostic UEFI - Hard Drive Check (Quick Check) = {No hard drive installed. Please check that the power and data cables are connected properly}.  

 I do not want to lose personal data on the hard drive.  The hard drive is original and hasn't been reimaged.  How do I get the new motherboard to update to connect to the hard drive or do I now have a $2,200 paperweight ($1,4000 laptop, $860 repair with the new motherboard). 

[WAWood]

@askmehfirst 

There are two different issues at work here.

First, HOW did you determine that the motherboard was indeed bad and needed to be replaced?  Asking because 3F0 is nearly always a hard drive failure indication, not motherboard.

Second, the Windows license that came with the PC is and OEM license and belongs to HP, not to you.  When you discarded the first motherboard, since the license is encoded into the UEFI firmware of that board, you tossed the license as well -- and HP does not provide a second license.  So, even if you DO get Windows working again, you will have to go out and BUY a license, and since you can't buy an OEM license, and the is the version of Windows on your PC, you would have to replace Windows with a retail version -- and pay for that license.

[askmehfirst]

Sounds like you are suggesting that new motherboard requires new WIndows OS. 

I had extended warranty by third party.  Sent computer in for repair due to computer stopped working and wouldn't turn on.  Repair center replaced motherboard and returned computer with the statement "Replaced systemboard - unable to brand systemboard - need to unlock MPM.

I am at a loss as to why the repair shop did not notify me of this issue with a new motherboard and the OS.  I am not a computer tech and don't know how to repair the computer OS.  Thank you for your response. 

.  

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@askmehfirst 

The OEM Windows license is embedded into the UEFI firmware of the HP motherboard.  Each one has its own license.

If you have HP replace the motherboard, they have a process that effectively transfers your license to the replacement.

The shop where you had yours replaced SHOULD have done that, but they may not have -- and in that case, you would have a new motherboard with an embedded license that does not match the one used for your copy of Windows.

In that case, you would probably get an error message indicating that Windows has been deactivated, and since you can't purchase  a new OEM license, can not be reactivated.