Windows 10: New motherboard replacement - identical to the old one - OEM Win10 SL

This PC isn't mine, it's my co-worker's at home. He is a complete newbie, so he never attached his Microsoft account.

The motherboard was replaced with a completely identical type by the vendor, the old one kaput, as it's a HP Pavilion PC (still under warranty). Problem is the Windows is now unactivated and complains no CD Key installed.

What now?

:)

 

What hardware does the OEM license consider as being part of the original system?

1. I install Windows10 OEM home edition on a PC and the hard disk fails. When I replace the hard disk with a new one, I'll need to reinstall Windows and activate it with the same OEM license. Is this allowed?

Yes, that is allowed.

2. Same as above, but this time the motherboard is faulty (let's say it becomes faulty a few months after PC purchase) and needs to be replaced. After replacing the motherboard, can we continue using the same OEM license?

If you replace it with an identical motherboard, it is permitted.

 

Windows deactivated and will not reactivate

You say you replaced the Motherboard. Was it a change/upgrade or an identical make model replacement? Assuming your Win 8.1 was factory installed and activated, when the OS was upgraded to 8.1 PRO and Win 10 PRO it still was considered and OEM license.
If the motherboard is an upgrade, you a *... Out of Luck . MS does not allow you to transfer "OEM" license to an upgraded motherboard. That is considered a "new computer". If the motherboard was a waranty replacement with an identical motherboard, then you
will have to contact MS Support. I have been told that they can allow activation in that case.

 

As it is under warranty it should be the vendors responsibility to fix this. Having said that, others who have changed their motherboards have reported that calling Microsoft and explaining the circumstances has often resulted in Microsoft activating it for them. Once convinced that it's genuinely the same PC, they tend to be sympathetic.

 

What @Bree said! +1

You can also run whiskey plus from this forum to check for a key stored in UEFI:
ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums

 

Calling as in Chat or Phone Call?

 

Over the phone has worked before...
New Motherboard and Reactivation

 

I recently had to change the Motherboard of my business computer. When activation didn't work online, I simply called it in. it a mechanical response but you give them your numbers they give you back number write them down and don't lose them because they will work for you the next time you have to Activate at some later date. I actually put these numbers in a FrontdeskActivation.txt file. You shouldn't have any issues just the pain in the butt with calling in and all the numbers to get exactly right.

 

What happens if you upgrade the CPU and /or amount of memory on the same motherboard?

 

The original motherboard most likely had an OEM embedded key. Those keys are unique to that motherboard. The new motherboard either has a different OEM Embedded key, or no Embedded key. showkey will tell you what's what. Who you call likely depends on what you find with showkey. If no key is found I'd be calling HP. If it has an OEM embedded key I'd just call Microsoft.

 

If there is an embedded key in UEFI, I would just change the product key on the activation screen to that one.