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December 5th, 2021 03:00
Windows not activated after motherboard replacement
Hi
I have an issue where Windows reports that it is not activated after replacing the motherboard on this 2015 Optiplex 9020. I have been using this desktop reliably for years when the motherboard failed. I replaced the mother board a couple of days ago and the PC boots and runs just fine, until today. when now I get a report saying that Windows is not activated.
Hoping someone here can tell me where to find the product key so I can fix the issue please? I have entered the service tag into Dell support but it says my product is out of warranty and I can not go further with that support option, hoping someone here can help?
Many thanks,
Charlie
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speedstep
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December 5th, 2021 03:00
Older Systems rely on the COA Key. Newer models have SLP key in bios.
There is no one size fits all for all windows versions.
Dell does not issue new Keys Microsoft does and only for supported OS.
Windows 7 and 8 are end of life end of support as are earlier os XP, VISTA etc.
redxps630
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December 5th, 2021 09:00
Re: where to find the product key so I can fix the issue please
Assume you have Windows 10, is it a clean install after you replaced motherboard w identical model, or was it the old install prior to motherboard failure and replacement? If it is a clean install, you may have chosen I do not have product key at beginning. If it is old, do a fresh clean install of Windows 10 pro. Choose I do not have product key at beginning. When finish look for a Windows 7 Pro key on COA of other desktop pc if available to help you activate freshly installed Win 10.
CharlieTangoAU
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December 5th, 2021 20:00
Thanks for your input. My machine must have the key in bios perhaps, there are no stickers showing the key at all. It has Windows 10 pro installed. Should I contact Microsoft for help with this if you say they issue the keys?
There is already a key for this PC though, that's the one I want to get so I can resolve this activation issue. Dell could issue this?
CharlieTangoAU
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December 5th, 2021 20:00
Hi
It's Windows 10 Pro, but not a fresh install. I simply replaced the motherboard with a new one (that matched the old 1150 socket) and the PC booted up and works fine with all my installed software.
I am assuming the key was digital and stored on the old motherboard.
Other than the service tag number and Dell model info stickers, there is no Microsoft sticker with the key on the case.
Any ideas? Could Dell support help with this and do I need to pay for a support plan to get support on this issue?
speedstep
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December 6th, 2021 07:00
OEM Windows 7 SLP key cannot be used to activate 10.
OEM SLP keys, MAK Keys, VLA Keys or Microsoft Licences are dealt with via Microsoft. Dell does not issue these to end users. OEM versions of windows ARE NOT supported by Microsoft.
DELL does not issue keys for activation.
OEM SLP WIN7 product keys are the only keys that are able to perform online activation, without going online or connecting to Microsoft server you will not be activated. OEM SLP keys are only issued to big manufacturers such as Dell, Asus, Sony, etc. End users cannot use or activate SLP keys. The reason for SLP Activation was to prevent the need for Dell and every Dell user from calling Microsoft to Activate or Reactivate their Windows Product.
There are differences Between OEM Channel SLP, BIOS WIN10 and COA License Product Keys.
If your model was UEFI made after 2012 it will have a WIN8.X key in bios that will activate automatically once you go online. They will only work on Dell systems, using Dell WIN7 media with a valid Dell BIOS and attached WIN7 COA.
Windows 7 SLP Keys Robert P
Chino de Oro
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December 6th, 2021 07:00
@CharlieTangoAU , I am not Dell employee but I hope this info may help you:
Reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change
When you're ready to reactivate, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and then follow the steps for either a digital license or product key.
You’ll need to first add your Microsoft account and link your account to the digital license on your device. After linking your Microsoft account, run the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows 10.
This troubleshooter will only be available if your copy of Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) isn’t activated.
To use the Activation troubleshooter:
Sign in as an administrator. For more info, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot . The troubleshooter will show Windows can’t be activated on your device.
Open Activation settings
Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
Enter your connected Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now.
Select Activate.
If you don’t see the device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you signed in using the same Microsoft account you associated with the Windows 10 digital license on your device.
If you continue to experience errors while activating, see Get help with Windows activation errors and locate the error you're getting.
speedstep
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December 6th, 2021 08:00
@CharlieTangoAU
OEM Windows 7 SLP key cannot be used to activate 10. Windows 10 keys are tied to the motherboard.
WIN7 SLP keyed motherboards require the COA key to Activate 10 via the SLUI 3 command.
OEM SLP keys, MAK Keys, VLA Keys or Microsoft Licences are dealt with via Microsoft. Dell does not issue these to end users. OEM versions of windows ARE NOT supported by Microsoft.
DELL does not issue keys for activation.
OEM SLP WIN7 product keys are the only keys that are able to perform online activation, without going online or connecting to Microsoft server you will not be activated. OEM SLP keys are only issued to big manufacturers such as Dell, Asus, Sony, etc. End users cannot use or activate SLP keys. The reason for SLP Activation was to prevent the need for Dell and every Dell user from calling Microsoft to Activate or Reactivate their Windows Product.
There are differences Between OEM Channel SLP, BIOS WIN10 and COA License Product Keys.
If your model was UEFI made after 2012 it will have a WIN8.X key in bios that will activate automatically once you go online. They will only work on Dell systems, using Dell WIN7 media with a valid Dell BIOS and attached WIN7 COA. Dell only supports the OS version that shipped with your model and only supports models for 5 years Max. Since WIN7 came out in 2009, WIN8 in 2012, WIN10 in 2015 your model is Many years Past End of Life End of Support.
Windows 7 SLP Keys Robert P
redxps630
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December 6th, 2021 09:00
Re: Thanks for your input. My machine must have the key in bios perhaps, there are no stickers showing the key at all. It has Windows 10 pro installed.
It's Windows 10 Pro, but not a fresh install. I simply replaced the motherboard with a new one (that matched the old 1150 socket)
although the model of your pc is still undisclosed, 1150 socket suggests it has Intel 4th Gen cpu and probably an optiplex 7020 or a model in its class.
this model was shipped w either Windows 7 or 10. It is possible that your replacement model was not shipped with Windows 10 digital key causing trouble of your activation. I suggest you do a test clean install of Windows 10 using a bootable usb (Microsoft media creation tool) without wiping your hdd. If the replacement board has any factory Win10 key in it, it will not ask you to choose Win 10 pro vs home at beginning. It will sail right through that step and go to ask you routine or advanced install (and you can quit then if you don’t want to proceed, nothing will happen to hdd). Otoh, if the board has no Win10 key, it will pause to ask you which Win 10 you like. That will prove the replacement board has no Win10 key in its bios.
speedstep
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December 6th, 2021 10:00
@redxps630
@CharlieTangoAU You still have not mentioned the model. Socket 1150 implies 2009 to 2012 which means windows 8.0 would be max intalled.
@DELL-Cares would need your service tag to help and would only help with the shipped os and only if the system is under warranty which I doubt because of the age of your model being from 2012 max which is 9 years old and End of Life End of Support.
No amount of phishing for a new key will be successful here because Dell will not replace COA stickers. Windows 8.X motherboards will activate automatically once you go online and run basic windows updates.
7010 7020 7040 models were Legacy and worked with windows XP/VISTA/7/8.0. None of them were shipped with 2015 windows 10. Dell only supports the OS that it shipped with and Microsoft Only supports retail copies of Windows 10.
Windows 10 Pro Flash-Drive
If the goal here is windows 10 and eventually 11 with 4th gen you need Precision T1700 with TPM 1.2 and to use the MOSETUP method.
Precision T1700 Spec Sheet
That is the model I'm currently using with current Directx 12 video Quadro RTX 4000.
Works fine with windows 10, 11 and wow.
CharlieTangoAU
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December 7th, 2021 04:00
The model is an Optiplex 9020 and came with Windows 10 Pro, and the support service expired in September of 2018.
CharlieTangoAU
5 Posts
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December 7th, 2021 04:00
The model is an Optiplex 9020 and came with Windows 10 Pro, and the support service expired in September of 2018.
I replaced the motherboard with a non Dell motherboard, so if the key is held within the old Dell motherboard then running a fresh installation will work. I still have the original motherboard, no idea how to obtain the key from it.
redxps630
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December 7th, 2021 10:00
Re: I replaced the motherboard with a non Dell motherboard
that is why. your Dell oem Win 10 key would not help you activate Win 10 on a non-Dell motherboard that is new to Microsoft activation service, nor would your Microsoft account be helpful either. you would need a new Win 10 Pro key (or Win 7 Pro key) to help you activate.