Will Windows Activate after Video card change

[Rayrrr]

I fried my laptop mother board video chip and have been on VGA since.

Just received a new board, but it is different.

This one has the 2GB AMD Radeon HD 7650M chip and mine had a 1 GB AMD Radeon HD 7650M.

Before I install it I was wonder if I would have an Activation problem.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, most likely you will.  Anytime a motherboard is changed, the hardware hash exceeds the limit of hardware devices allowed by Microsoft to be changed.

As far as I see it, you have two options...

1. Reinstall W7 with HP recovery disks and windows should automatically activate.

2. Change the product key and use the W7 key off the sticker on the PC to activate if you don't want to reinstall windows.

[Rayrrr]

Well there is no sticker since it is a UEFI, but I have one from a key finder along with a activation backup.

Just wanted to know if the key will still work or would I have to try my luck calling Microsoft or HP for a new validation

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That means your PC probably has a W8 product key in the BIOS, or no product key.

I believe you will to have to order a set of W7 recovery disks from HP, and reinstall W7 in your situation.

The W7 key you see in the operating system is a volume license key and do not believe you will be able to activate with that one, and if it is a W8 key you are seeing, then that won't work with W7 either.

I have zipped up and attached this key finder which will tell you what Windows version the key is for.

[Rayrrr]

Yes I forgot to say it is W8. So should I get a board with a 1GB card or is there a way to use these. I never installed W8. W7 was on it. I have installed W10 but went back to W7.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

I don't think it matters.

I think you are going to have to order recovery disks.

You can install the motherboard and hope that since it is a HP board that Windows will automatically activate, but be prepared for the possibility that you will need to order recovery disks if it doesn't.

[Rayrrr]

Thanx for your help

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Please post back and let us know if you had any issues with activation upon replacing the motherboard.

[Rayrrr]

Sorry it was some time before the board arrived.

No problems installing. Windows showed being activated, but it was not. Reinstalled 7 with no trouble.

Changes were 1 Gb increase in video chip and added 8 Gb RAM. No problem with Microsoft.

I did due a BIOS back up before hand using BIOS Update Utility. Made a recovery backup on a USB drive.

It said it failed but I have UEFI embedded Product Key and it was in the system. Don’t know if that is from the OS or BIOS.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Thanks for the update.

Glad you were able to get Windows 7 activated on the new motherboard.