Windows 8 Licensing

If Windows 8 came OEM on the machine the licensing was within the BIOS so you should be able to replace the motherboard and the license should still work.

John, the bios is on the mainboard. We need to read out the Key before replacing it. That can be done using the too "readwriteeverything".

Yes. Thank you for the clarification

Another tool for getting the key from the BIOS is "AIDA64"... You can do this in trial mode...

https://www.aida64.com/

However, the board has to be bootable to run these tools!  Is it totally dead, or just intermittently failing?

I like the summary written on https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/replacing-motherboard-on-system-running-oem/9aed1ae6-99f9-477a-940b-d8d9003f9246 regarding the legal aspect of this

What Exactly Can One Change With An OEM Operating System?

You shouldn't have a problem replacing any parts other then the motherboard, although if you replace too many of the computers parts you may need to reactivate. If you replace the motherboard you will need to reactivate (and likely reinstall), which (according to some) you can do. However there is also some OEM documentation stating that replacing the motherboard for reasons other then defect creates a new computer and the OEM license is no longer valid.

Many posts here say you can replace the motherboard, many others say you can't. Some of the confusion is because the OEM EULA doesn't specifically say replacing the motherboard creates a new computer, that language comes from a FAQ page about the OEM license (and a FAQ page is not part of the EULA). But Microsoft also has another OEM webpage saying you can replace the motherboard and still use the OEM license - causing much confusion on this topic.

Because Microsoft says you can replace the motherboard on one page and the OEM EULA doesn't say otherwise, you should be able to replace the motherboard. However, if your Windows install disk is from a computer manufacturer the disk might be locked to the motherboards BIOS which would prevent you from being able to install Windows on a motherboard not made by that computer manufacturer. Also, OEM copies are bound to the first computer installed on and are not transferable (can't be moved to a different computer).

About the last sentence: "Also, OEM copies are bound to the first computer installed on and are not transferable (can't be moved to a different computer)." - that could be wrong. In the EU at least, after what I looked up, the jurisdiction says, it is not applicable. There, you may re-use OEM Windows licenses on different hardware given that you don't use it at the old hardware anymore.

As long as you get the licensing from the BIOS, Microsoft will not complain.

These old systems are nearly dead and Microsoft now keeps licensing in their licensing server. I know you can change hard drives. I have not yet tried changing a Windows 10 motherboard.

Thanks for the replies ... however I believe I left something out of the original post; which might be relevant. I built this computer, all parts and software where purchased from Amazon two years ago. When I build computers, I always purchase OEM/System Builder Disc's and keep them in my software library.

So from what research I have done/read, my understanding is that the Win 8 License dies with the computer. So if the MB and CPU have to be replaced, then the computer and its license is considered "dead". Seeing how I am still within the MFG Warranty period, my plan is to get another ASUS board and FX processor, but my understanding of licensing says this would be a "new" computer even if it is another ASUS product model that supersedes the current model.

You are not living in the EU, right?
Edit: ok, your profile says US.

Seeing how the current motherboard is still under warranty, would I not be eligible for replacement motherboard under the current OS License?

Here is the back story for what it is worth, system building in my house goes this way...

Someone in my immediate family wants a "new" computer or upgrade an existing one. I buy the OS, motherboard and sometimes the CPU, they purchase any remaining parts needed. I put the parts together, install the OS, make sure it all works as advertised and they get a bare bones system. In return I get their old computer as a trade in and any miscellaneous parts, as well as being reimbursed for my services. I handle all tech support and any part replacements, warranty or otherwise. If the trade in computer can be refurbished and put back into service, I will do so; typically I give it to a friend or another relative as an Xmas gift.

The computer in this question is the trade in from my oldest son; he requested a new computer after support from ASUS stalled. I am still waiting on ASUS to reply my support request and it appears they choose not to. If I can re-use the OS license, I can put this computer back into service for myself running BOINC 24/7.

Perhaps I am making this more difficult than it needs to be, I believe that I found what I was looking for ...

https://dpcenter.microsoft.com/en/Windows/License/cp-Windows-system-builder-licensing-for-personal-use

... any opinions?

d2beetle - what should your link tell us and how did it help in your situation? It says, win8.1 system builder licenses cannot be transferred to new hardware. Or was your original OS not 8.1 but 8 OEM? That again can be transferred.

McKnife, The OS in question is Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit System Builder; as noted earlier, I build bare bone systems for family members and get reimbursed for my efforts. Given that and what the comparison of Win 8 and 8.1 Licenses state ...

1) Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 system builder software does not permit personal use, and is intended only for preinstallation on customer systems that will be sold to end users.
2) Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro ... Can be transferred to new hardware, if removed from the prior PC.

... I can reuse the license for another bare bones system.

For what it is worth, during a reinstall for the nTH time, to my surprise, the OS (Microsoft) popped up a window showing me two configuration options. The first option was the previous installation, which had the computer name with its original install date and the second option was for a New Install; I choose the previous installation because the Motherboard, CPU and RAM are still the same hardware.

Despite my efforts the motherboard failed again a fews days afterwards; now the computer sits on the basement bench and I am still waiting on ASUS to reply back to another tech support request. So, if I get a replacement board from ASUS, I anticipate getting the same popup during installation and choosing the corresponding option for that build.

"Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro ... Can be transferred to new hardware, if removed from the prior PC. ... I can reuse the license for another bare bones system." - your link does say so for 8.1 and 8.1 pro full packaged retail, not OEM.

McKnife, I have read so much regarding this issue, I over read the "Retail" part, my mistake. In any case, perhaps the phrase, "... another bare bones system." was not a good choice of words. I am not trying to build a "whole new" computer, but salvage an existing one that failed, and use the same license that was originally installed on it; which would be "another bare bones" computer, if it does get fixed. The motherboard and CPU (married components) seem to be "the key" regarding licensing. So as I see it, my options are ...

1) Bury it, it is dead and move on, not the option I like because I am still within the warranty period.
2) ASUS repairs the current motherboard, would be the same computer, so no issues (this has been tried once and it failed)
3) ASUS replaces the current motherboard with a different, but same model motherboard, technically would be the same computer, so there should be no issues
4) ASUS replaces the current motherboard with a different model that supersedes this model, because it is a warranty replacement, using the same license should be OK.
5) ASUS has no replacement available for this model, even though I am still within the warranty period. Could I then purchase another ASUS motherboard on my own as a warranty replacement. This is the option that I believe will play out, so could I still use the existing license?

This is all theory.
There's jurisdiction and there's what just works. And there is the "who cares"-factor.

I guess you'll be able to put in any new mainboard and reactivate unless the last activation was done only a few months ago. That might not be legal in the US but no one will care.

McKnife, Yes, it is theory, after everything that I have read regarding licensing, the only certainty that I have found is, there is no consensus of what you can and cannot do, other than buy another license and move on. For what it is worth, I WILL CARE.

Yes, the last attempt was a month or so ago; however the MB/CPU are the originals still, and the original system build date is December 2014. The ASUS Warranty is three years and the initial board failure was in the 4th quarter of 2016.

I do appreciate your conversation. :)