For every question, there's an answer -- and you'll find it here!


Printer-friendly copy
Top The PC Q&A Forum The Computer Forum topic #564450
View in linear mode

Subject: "Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I C..." Previous topic | Next topic
SidFri Aug-11-17 11:53 PM
Charter member
5385 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
"Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"


          

My wife's eight-year-old HP desktop has seen its share of piecemeal upgrades, but, I have now embarked on a major remake which includes:

New Mobo
New CPU
New Boot Drive (SSD)
New Power Supply

I've purchased an OEM version of Windows 10 Home, but, would like to simply clone the old system onto the new drive. My obvious question is, can I get the old copy activated? Another caveat is that the existing copy of Win10 was a free download from "back when".

Much obliged for any guidance you wish to share.

.
Onward & Upward !
Sid

WINDOWS 10
ASUS P8Z77-V Pro MB
Intel i5 3750K CPU
8g Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Corsair Neutron 250g SSD

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

Replies to this topic
Subject Author Message Date ID
RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That...
Aug 12th 2017
1
RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That...
Aug 12th 2017
2
      RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That...
Aug 12th 2017
3
           RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That...
Aug 12th 2017
4
                RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That...
Aug 17th 2017
5

TtechSat Aug-12-17 01:31 PM
Member since Aug 06th 2002
10412 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#1. "RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"
In response to Sid (Reply # 0)


  

          

Will it activate? You won't know until you try. Since you got the free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8, you might need the product key from the previous version. If this was a factory built computer you won't have a license key sticker for Windows 8.

Here's some info from Microsoft:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

Quote:
Activating Windows 10 after a hardware configuration change

If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard), Windows 10 might no longer be activated and you might see the activation error codes 0x803f7001 or 0xC004C008. If you're running Windows 10, version 1607 or later, and added your Microsoft account and linked it to the digital license on your device, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter.


From this it looks like you need to make sure that you have added your Microsoft account to the old installation before you try to make the swap.

If it doesn't activate, it sounds like you already purchased another Windows 10 license that should work if you can't reactivate the old one.

Behind every good computer... is a jumble of wires 'n stuff.

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

    
SidSat Aug-12-17 03:19 PM
Charter member
5385 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#2. "RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"
In response to Ttech (Reply # 1)


          

We can always rely on you, Martin (Ttech), for fast and full reporting! Thanks, I'll check out all those tips and apply as needed. I'll report the results either way (go/no-go) so others can benefit from your wisdom. You rule!

.
Onward & Upward !
Sid

WINDOWS 10
ASUS P8Z77-V Pro MB
Intel i5 3750K CPU
8g Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Corsair Neutron 250g SSD

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

        
jbmcmillanSat Aug-12-17 08:00 PM
Member since Jul 17th 2002
6319 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#3. "RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"
In response to Sid (Reply # 2)


          

It'll definitely trigger activation it took me an hour on the phone to get mine reactivated with me trying to convince them it was only on 1 computer lol.All I did was change a motherboard everything else was the same. It might be easier now my change was pretty new in the process.

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

            
SidSat Aug-12-17 11:32 PM
Charter member
5385 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#4. "RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"
In response to jbmcmillan (Reply # 3)


          

Thanx for the heads-up, John.

.
Onward & Upward !
Sid

WINDOWS 10
ASUS P8Z77-V Pro MB
Intel i5 3750K CPU
8g Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Corsair Neutron 250g SSD

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

                
SidThu Aug-17-17 12:23 AM
Charter member
5385 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#5. "RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?"
In response to Sid (Reply # 4)


          

Well, guys, I didn't immediately have luck with activation so I bit the bullet and installed the new OEM version I mentioned earlier. All's well and the computer is purring along.

Something unexpected did happen during installation. I'll tell you all about it in a new thread.

Appreciate the input on this.

Cheers!

.
Onward & Upward !
Sid

WINDOWS 10
ASUS P8Z77-V Pro MB
Intel i5 3750K CPU
8g Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM
Corsair Neutron 250g SSD

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

Top The PC Q&A Forum The Computer Forum topic #564450 Previous topic | Next topic
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.27
Copyright 1997-2003 DCScripts.com
Home
Links
About PCQandA
Link To Us
Support PCQandA
Privacy Policy
In Memoriam
Acceptable Use Policy

Have a question or problem regarding this forum? Check here for the answer.