Problem with replaced motherboard
I believe I can explain what is going on. My solution may be a little lengthy. Please bear with me.
Microsoft has a Users License agreement.
One genuine copy of Microsoft Windows per One computer.
When Windows is installed on a computer it assigns 'codecs', to specific major hardware components inside the computer.
1.Processor
2.Harddrive
3.Motherboard, (More specifically the BIOS program, and version, on the BIOS chip.
'Chip' is a slang term for Integrated Circuit. The BIOS chip is installed on the motherboard)
4.Graphics chip, [ GPU http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPU ]
You may think of Codecs in this instance as serial numbers. Serial numbers assigned to these various hardware components. In reality they are not serial numbers. Your personal information, is Not recorded with this hardware information.
Microsoft invented a method, to try to insure that their software would not be stolen. To help insure that their software, would not be installed on more than one computer.
Generally, if more than two components are changed, this shoots up a red flag that their software is being stolen.
Change a motherboard, and you are changing two hardware components.
The BIOS program, and the graphics chip.
[This is IF, it is not the same exact motherboard. But even that is no insurance]
After the motherboard is changed out by the tech, the tech then needs to Activate the Operating System again.
(Windows XP and Windows Vista are two examples of an Operating System. I am also referring to Activate, and not Register. You are required to Activate the operating system. You are Not required to Register it)
This can be done online through the internet, or by calling Microsoft.
There is a new Product Key for your computer now. You can't use the old Product Key.
(The Windows Product Key can be found on the back of a desktop computer, or up on the side, {Top}, of the computer case.
It is located on the bottom of a laptop)
My advice would be to take the computer back to this shop, infer that you are dissatisfied, and would like the problem fixed. Tell them that you run a business with the computer, and time is money!
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