Hi Guys,

I have a big problem here. Recently, I had my motherboard changed by Dell and somehow their technician corrupted my Windows and unable to recover it at all. I had no choice but to format it.

Previously, this PC is pre-installed by Dell in Window8 system. It was like few years back. After that only I upgraded it to 8.1 and then Window10. I never did clean installation before for this PC.

My problem here is that I can't use the Window 8.1 activation Key to activate Window10. I had tried to search on the internet but I have no luck on finding.

I believe it's an OEM license that Dell is using and they may have a common licence activation. Anyone here know where I can get that? or maybe how to convert my Window8 license to Window10?

Can Anyone help me??

Hi, You can activate windows 10 using either windows 7, windows 8 or windows 8.1 licence. the steps are as follows:
1. download the latest built of windows 10 using the media creation tools from Microsoft.
2. Install windows 10, making sure you choose the correct edition e.g. if your windows 8.1 is home edition, make sure you install windows 10 home. during installation, skip the product key.
3. After installation, connect to the internet. then go to settings, update and security, and choose activation. From there, activate your copy of windows 10 with the windows 8.1 key. It should activate.

ps. since you change your mobo, there might be a concern that the key won't activate, since OEM key are tied to the motherboard. However you may still try. good luck.

when the dell tech guy helped you to change mobo, he should give you a new product key in the form of card or something for your stock os. they always do that, or else your os will not be activated after mobo swap.

in order to use the new key to activate w10, you must use w10 1511. older w10 installer (10240) cannot do that.

Can skip product key? The installation u mention is from window or cd boot up? Now that u say it, is because different mubo will have different activation? How do I proceed? OEM Dun have CD key also.

My PC preciously is window 8. They can still give me win10 key? So that means everytime I change my mubo, my window will unable to use oledi.?

I feel like I got bullied by Dell. They ask me to purchase new license but my pc comes with OEM windows. I won't buy but can't resolve the problem.



This post has been edited by knight: Mar 30 2016, 08:46 AM

no they should give you w8 key.

unless things have changed recently, afaik if the service involves mobo they should give a new key based on original/stock os in your laptop. my previous experience was that even if there was a key embedded in the mobo, the dell tech still gave me a card containing new key and asked me to activate my stock os with it.

yes, for oem key, swapping mobo makes old key invalid. however you don't get to change mobo frequently. it's one of the toughest parts that can break easily tbh.

why not you call dell and explain to them what happened? (get your previous case number, or service tag of your laptop ready) my dell machines are usually serviced by dell techs. so far their service is more than great.

Yes can skip. the installation is from microsoft, the one download with media creation tools.

Agreed. TS can even ask the technician to help install back OS and any other programs. They did it for me once when i change HDD.

this is very true. if they can help they will.

this is very true. if they can help they will.

My Dell is already out of warranty. They been quite unprofessional but well, after I have some explaination with them, they agree to send me the W8 OEM CD. I told them my PC system is ok before this and it's after changing Mubo cause such issue.

So, do we mean that everytime we change Mubo will have to reinstall our Window? That's kind of troublesome.

I agree. But I use to like their service. This time I think their service drops alot. I have to feedback to them later on.

This post has been edited by knight: Apr 4 2016, 01:37 PM

Not necessary. I have my desktop mobo replace and the OS works fine except for activation.

oh it's out of warranty yet they still helped you change mobo? if that's the case, it's not nice or fair to tell people that they are unprofessional, because they helped you out in good will :/

no you do not need to reinstall os. you just need to reactivate the os with new key (if the old key is an oem key).

Agreed
If this is true, then knight, you should reflect on yourself

You should know that most manufacturers will just ignore you when the warranty has expired
Unless you paid for the motherboard replacement, then that's a totally different story

Neh. I paid for it. Total Damage is nearly RM1500. If it's free, I won't complain also. Just had my PC installed today. Another Mubo was changed as the new mubo changed previously having problems. Maybe it's faulty unit.

This time they give me the OS key. Meaning previously they did not send it to me. That's terrible mistakes. Their service really lousy oledi. Not like last time.

Oh sorry about that. I'm curious now: 1.5k for mobo only? Not warranty extension? Which model is this?

Yeah they should give you the key on the spot because it's usually part of their mobo replacement package.

If me I won't change 1.5k mobo. Most manufacture will charge you danm expensive to change hardware once warranty is over. I'd rather save up and get a new laptop, or just get a refurb mobo with less than half the price from any shop.

yeah neither do i, unless it's a warranty extension that covers other components.

I thought of getting a refurbish mubo in ebay but I not confirm if it's the Mubo faulty plus it's not easy to change it myself. That's why I pay for it. Or do you know if those shops like All IT can do this?

RM1.5K covers the DC Converter which I have to return later on. Including the Technician on site manpower charges. Maybe should be around RM1.3k like that.

My PC is still looks very new. And with an i7 processor. So I prefer that I just spend Thousand over ringgit over new laptop which cost over 3k.

This is the weird part. I have a similar situation for my previous old laptop (still working) where my Mubo spoiled and its just over the warranty period like 3months. They give me options.

Option 1: Change Mubo and cost like RM2k

Option 2: Extend warranty. After I nego 3 times the final amount for that extension is Rm800 something. I'm glad I still can nego price and ask to revise the price.


I'm very satisfied with their service last time.

This time they don't give me extension and yet canot nego and they did alot of stupid mistakes. So many appointments made and re-schedule again due to their miscommunication.

oh no wonder. yeah i will always go for warranty extension because it's much cheaper. it's too bad you couldn't do that.

right dell has stopped supporting certain old models. luckily i still can get parts from elsewhere to diy if necessary. my old m17x r4's are still in very good shape (i have retired them since i play games with desktops these days). all i do is to maintain their cooling system (like once a year). later i will replace their cmos battery.