Can a motherboard be de-associated with a Win 8 Key?

cws3e

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So this is my situation. I have a computer that came installed with Windows 8. I also happen to have an unused copy of Windows 8 Pro System Builder. I thought to myself instead of paying to upgrade the other computer to Windows 8 Pro, why not just use it the Windows 8 Pro System Builder disk and Key.

It seems that because the motherboard has been associated with another version and key for windows 8, it will not accept my windows 8 pro system builder key even on clean install on a new SSD.

So I'm wondering is there anyway to de-associate the motherboard with the old Key so that I can install using the system builder key and not have to shell out more money?


I guess I want to tell my system that that old OEM install was a mistake and this new one is for real.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I suspect that will work for the pro pack key or similar upgrade.

But that doesn't work with the Pro OEM Key provided with a OEM disk. I tried entering it myself and then I spent an hour with MS Tech support today, watching them (desktop share) enter the key over and over and telling me 'I can see the key is valid, I don't know why it won't work'

There best advice they could give was to talk to the vendor who supplied the OEM version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Sounds like you are using Upgrade key, not a full key.

Screenshot of the full key.

Upgrade Pro Pack 001.PNG

Upgrade Pro Pack 002.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Its an OEM Pro Key. MS did at least verify that for me. They told me that I have exactly what I think I have.

When I installed it only installs regular Windows 8, and never even asks me for the Key, it then automatically activates. And I'm fairly sure it is activating to the key from the original copy/key of Win 8 that the mobo was associated with, despite it being a clean install and a new clean HD.

After the install if I try to enter the OEM Pro Key in the add a feature area it just says 'This key won't work' MS verified the key is valid, but couldn't fathom why it wasn't working. I suspect my situation is not on whatever checklist they use.

I'll try another install, but I'm not optimistic.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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