Windows 8.1 Activation failed on cloned drives

[mrmajestic]

I just built a news system and did a clean install of 8.1 Pro 64-bit. Activated it without problems and did a clone to file using Paragon. Copied the clone to multiple drives to use on the same computer, to keep gaming on a separate disk. Everything worked perfectly until this morning when windows says its not activated and key is in use on another computer. The key has been used, but I swapped out the motherboard, cpu and ram and did a fresh install. The activation work without a hitch, but now activation has failed. Its only been running a few days, but I've been able to swap drives without a hitch. Is it the fact that I use multiple disks on the same computer or is it the fact that I have previosly used this key on different hardware? The key is not installed on any other computer.

 

[Antilope]

I believe that a new motherboard is seen as a different computer by Windows. If the Registration key has been used on another motherboard, it will say the activation is in use on another computer when the motherboard is changed.

If you have an OEM version of Windows (pre-installed by the PC manufacturer), a new motherboard is considered a new computer and you can't transfer the Registration key.

A retail version of Windows can be transferred, that's one reason it costs more. If you have a retail version of Windows, you have to call Microsoft to transfer the activation to the new motherboard.

 

[Wullail]

What Antilope said , OEM copies are only supposed to be used on the PC it was originally installed on , if you change the MB , that's not considered the same PC , you'd have to buy a full copy

 

[mrmajestic]

Its not an OEM version, its a retail pro license. And it activated without complaint before I cloned it. I had to do a phone activation, but it didn't say anything about it being used on another computer.

 

[Superfly]

There is a tolerance built into the amount of hardware changes that can be done - by far the most relates to Mobo - thereafter CPU, graphics and HDD... You are now probably 'out of tolerance' and need to speak to M$ support.

PS: Even though it activated before - telephone activation is a "secondary" offline activation compared to online and Software protection checks online at regular intervals.

EDIT:
See here: http://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/feature/How-Windows-7-hardware-upgrades-affect-licensing

I stand corrected - HDD has lower tolerance than graphics...

The actual algorithm that Microsoft uses is not disclosed, but we do know the weighting of components is as follows, from highest to lowest:

• Motherboard (and CPU)
• Hard drive
• Network interface card (NIC)
• Graphics card
• RAM

 

[mrmajestic]

The only hardware that changed since activation is the harddrive. I did this before on Windows 7 without issue, but I guess something changed with Windows 8.

Is there some kind of deactivation that has to be done before moving the license?

 

[Superfly]

Unfortunately not, only way is to talk to a support guy and explain - they can then clear the activation server of your existing activation ID.

 

[mrmajestic]

So even if the activation over phone goes without error, it will still fail again? Or is this because Im running it on multiple drives on the same computer?

 

[Clintlgm]

So even if the activation over phone goes without error, it will still again? Or is this because Im running it on multiple drives on the same computer?

Yes you are only allowed one installation per product Key.
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html

 

[mrmajestic]

So even if the activation over phone goes without error, it will still again? Or is this because Im running it on multiple drives on the same computer?

Yes you are only allowed one installation per product Key.
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html

Maybe I was a bit fuzzy with the question. I meant if I activate now, will it fail yet again because the first installation/hardware is still in Microsofts system attached to my key? Not switching drives for arguments sake.

Just tying to figure out why this doesnt work, since it did on Windows 7. Swapping disks with a cloned installation that is.

 

[adamf]

According to the EULA for Windows 8 retail http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j...Wj1VazYFsDTiP_hPA&sig2=BvwYB4vt-CGAhSdybLAXbg

bla bla one copy on one computer (the licensed computer)

Where a computer is

a hardware system (whether physical or virtual) with an internal storage device capable of running the software. A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a computer. The software is licensed to run on only one processor on the licensed
computer.

I'm not a lawyer but there are plenty of people with opinions one way or the other as to whether running 2 separate versions one for games and one not constitutes two or one.

 

[Superfly]

Maybe I was a bit fuzzy with the question. I meant if I activate now, will it fail yet again because the first installation/hardware is still in Microsofts system attached to my key? Not switching drives for arguments sake.

Just tying to figure out why this doesnt work, since it did on Windows 7. Swapping disks with a cloned installation that is.

In Windows 7 Software protection (sppsvc.exe) was static and only ran when called... thus moving an activated system to new hardware will remain as is (if not manually running sppsvc) - i.e. the activation server won't know about the new hardware.

In Windows 8 it is a scheduled service - thus even if an activated system is moved to new hardware - as soon as the service runs on schedule it checks online with the new hardware configuration - and you will then be flagged.