New motherboard, probs with Windows now

[PJYelton]

Ok, just to let everyone know I am such a newbie when it comes to hardware, in fact this week was the first time I've ever opened up a computer case. So just be aware that anything that is painfully obvious to you guys is probably not obvious to me.

Ok, so anyways I installed a new cpu chip a couple of days ago, found out that my motherboard that came with my storebought couldn't handle it so went out and bought a new motherboard. I get everything installed properly, load up the computer, everything looking good so far. Windows loads up and asks me to login, and after I do I get a prompt saying I have to reactive Windows to continue. So it gives me an installation ID that I have to call in, but when I do the computer automated operator says that it cannot find this ID as a valid installed product and says I have to reinstall. BUT since the computer I had was a stupid store bought eMachine, it didn't come with a Windows installation CD, just an eMachine restore CD. I can start in safe mode, just not in regular mode.

So am I screwed? Is the only way around this to go out and buy a copy of Windows to install? I didn't think Windows would care if I installed a new motherboard, but I guess I was wrong

[axon]

sorry to hear that PJ....check your pm.

[ober]

Any major hardware changes requires a reactivation (ie. motherboard, possibly processor and sometimes even hard drives). You're also only allowed 2 major changes before a reactivation. Since you changed both the processor AND the motherboard, you've used your 2. You should be able to actually talk to MS and get around this, however.

[PJYelton]

Thanks, I've talked to the activation guy on the phone, for some reason the product key that I have keeps giving a bogus activation code. The guy says I need to call technical support to tell them my activation code isn't changing properly. Unfortunately that turns out to be a $15 phone call to a 1-900 number, and since we only have cell phones that aren't allowed to make calls like that I need to figure something out.

I know my product key is fine, I've downloaded a couple of utilites and they all give the same code as the one on the back of my computer. Maybe somehow my code ended up as a hacked code spread across the internet?

Damn you Microsoft and you're trying to rule the world policies!!

[PJYelton]

Woot, I finally got a hold of technical support and they were able to change my product key so that it now works. Things really shouldn't be this difficult, but thank god its done without any more hassle.

[adrianxw]

Glad you're fixed PJ. I'm not far away from the same hassle myself...