Activation After BIOS Update

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Robinson
  • Start date Start date
Mike said:
I came across a BIOS update for a Gigabyte board three years ago stating
that Windows would have to be re-installed after the update.. the
changes were enough that it as good as constituted a different computer..
Click to expand...

False as false can be. Neither the BIOS nor the Mobo are mentioned in
either the retail or generic OEM EULA. What you did what *update* ONE
computer.

Alias
 
Doris said:
Yep, MickeyMouse users have to be very careful about mod'ing their systems.
A BIOS update or a new case fan can bring the wraith of Ballmer on you!

Love and Kisses,
Doris
Click to expand...

What's hard to understand is how some of the people here think that it's
normal.

Alias
 
When I replace the MB in a HP system, I have to 'tattoo' the MB to identify
it as an HP before the restore disks will work.
 
Alias

I made no reference to the OEM EULA.. I merely pointed out that Gigabyte
released a BIOS for one of the older PIII machines that required Windows to
be re-installed..

I have no idea what any of your post was about.. you are obviously tired..


Alias said:
False as false can be. Neither the BIOS nor the Mobo are mentioned in
either the retail or generic OEM EULA. What you did what *update* ONE
computer.

Alias
Click to expand...

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
 
Mike said:
Alias

I made no reference to the OEM EULA.. I merely pointed out that Gigabyte
released a BIOS for one of the older PIII machines that required Windows
to be re-installed..

I have no idea what any of your post was about.. you are obviously tired..
Click to expand...

You wrote, and I quote: "constituted a new computer".

Alias
 
Robert, there is NO customizing of the BIOS when Windows installs.. however,
some OEM recovery sets look for a range of BIOS' that determine make and
feature set.. this is done by the manufacturer of the computer, not MS, and
is called BIOS locking..

Vista compiles an inventory of the hardware on which it is first installed,
and then combines the inventory and key code used.. if there are any major
changes at the point of re-installation, an activation notice is given..
sometimes, the system makes mistakes, but rarely..


Robert Robinson said:
Based on the many forum messages about activation, it appears that no one
outside of an appropriate Microsoft group really knows the details of the
activation process.
It is likely that OEM installations involve some Microsoft operating
system related customization of the BIOS, but I agree that this may not be
correct.
A number of people have independently confirmed that a BIOS upgrade may
require a re-activation. The BIOS changes that might trigger a
re-activation are unknown to me.

On a slightly different subject, we have done a "bare metal" (Microsoft's
definition, not mine) restore after using Windows Server 2007's "Backup",
which, incidentally, is a great program. I am ashamed to say that I don't
remember if this restore required an activation. I was so pleased that it
worked flawlessly that I didn't pay attention to a possible activation
request.
An interesting question is whether or not such a restore would work if
there had been a significant hardware change; for example, replacing a
motherboard. I do know that that you must have the same number of hard
drives and that each of these must have a capacity equal to or greater
that that of the original drives. There may be some additional technical
limitations.
Click to expand...

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
 
Robert said:
Based on the many forum messages about activation, it appears that no
one outside of an appropriate Microsoft group really knows the details
of the activation process.
It is likely that OEM installations involve some Microsoft operating
system related customization of the BIOS, but I agree that this may not
be correct.
Click to expand...


I can't imagine why you would even think that possible, much less
likely. What many of the OEM manufacturers do is modify the Windows
recovery method they provide to recognize and lock itself to specific
hardware configurations (usually a serial number or other identifying
feature of the chipset or CMOS chip), but not changes are made to the
BIOS by the Windows installation.

A number of people have independently confirmed that a BIOS upgrade may
require a re-activation. The BIOS changes that might trigger a
re-activation are unknown to me.
Click to expand...

Certainly, as some BIOS changes can be interpretted by Windows as a
hardware change. Again, in no way does it follow logically from this
that Windows alters the BIOS; rather, Windows merely detects the changes
the BIOS update made.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
Hi Mike and Bruce,

There is no question that a BIOS update triggered a request for
re-activation.
I understand why Microsoft might want to check the BIOS code, but, as
far as I know, this code doesn't contain a listing of the hardware that
are actually attached to a computer system. It only provides a low level
means of accessing the hardware. It doesn't make sense that a change in
BIOS code is interpreted as a hardware change.
 
Bios code can, and does, influence how the hardware devices on the M/B
operate. A bios update can add certain features to the M/B operation that
previously were not available, as well as correct for hardware faults that
become apparent after shipment.

Yes, a bios update can certainly make it appear to be a new computer. The
operating system will pick up these changes and notify you accordingly.

If you don't want to chance this happening - don't update your bios.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
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