Aurora R10, motherboard swap/upgrade

Question

Hello,

I've recently purchased a new motherboard from Dell as the one on my original Aurora R10 only supports 3000 series AMD CPU's and I had already purchased a 5000 series upgrade. I will have to swap out the motherboard and the only component I can think of causing me any trouble is the one shown in the picture attached. It seems to be installed in a manner more permanent than the CPU, GPU, Ram, etc.

I was wondering if anyone knew what exactly the function of this chip is, such that I may know what to expect when leaving it behind?

If anyone else can think of any other sticklers with a motherboard swap do reply as well!

filbert · Accepted Answer

That is your wireless card. Follow the removal procedure in the Service Manual.

Be careful when disconnecting and connecting the tiny antenna plugs that fit over the tiny posts on the card (kind of like snap fasteners on a coat). They are fragile. And be careful to note which sides the white and black cables connect to before you disconnect the existing card.

Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)

One possible hiccup: your Windows licence will be tied to the motherboard. It may be possible that Microsoft may enable Windows activation for the new motherboard, if you prove to them that you had to replace the old one. Look up the Microsoft page for Windows 10 or 11 activation issues. There is a form you fill out, and then either you call Microsoft or they call you (I forget what the sequence is), and they are quite helpful.

CharlamagneKing2 · Answer

Thanks for the clarification and additional recommendations, considering what I've already sunk into the new motherboard an extra windows license isn't on the table. I'll get in contact with Microsoft

Vanadiel · Answer

You can try, but it's an OEM license. They have different restrictions when compared to retail licenses.

CharlamagneKing2 · Answer

Windows shows as being activated by a digital license key which is linked to my personal Microsoft account. Windows support says after a major hardware change (including mobo) I should be able to reactivate Windows using their activation troubleshooter and my account, unless anyone knows otherwise.

Vanadiel · Answer

See here: Windows licensing

The activation key is stored in the SLIC table. Starting with Windows 10 each key is unique for each piece of hardware, and can only be used once. After activation windows will auto activate if you reinstall, as long as it's on the same hardware. Transferring an OEM SLIC key like in the days of Windows 7, is not possible anymore as each SLIC keys are different.

Windows 10 uses SLP 3.0: SLP 3.0

With SLP 3.0, OEM SLP keys are no longer used at all. Instead, a tool is used by the OEM to embed a unique key in each computer's BIOS, making consumer versions of Windows 8 and later very difficult to pirate using the SLP insertion technique. [3] In the SLP 3.0 implementations, BIOS report the ACPI MSDM table to the operating system.

redxps630 · Answer

I suggest find a Windows 7 Pro 20 digit COA (usually available on a physical sticker or picture of sticker on the chassis of an old Windows 7 pc) and use that to activate a Windows 10 Pro clean install. I find the COA can be reused more than once for this purpose. I used one 2 weeks ago and it worked fine.

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Aurora R10, motherboard swap/upgrade

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