Windows 8 makes me insert product key once new motherboard installed

[Joshua]

When I installed my Windows 8 when I bought my PC, I obviously installed it using the product key that came with the CD. This has worked since January. 

Today, I took out my motherboard and replaced it with a new one and the below message comes up.

As I'm sure a lot of you are aware, Windows 8 has two ways of displaying everything, metro and desktop. The metro one says "You are using a different PC or there has been a hardware change, please enter your product key"

 

 

So, I type in the key that is on the sticker on the install CD case, which as you can see below ends in the same digits as the previous message. I have not made an error here, as I have typed it in twice and got it checked by someone else. 

 

 

Once that has happened it displays the message "This key works". Then, it comes up with this below.

The Metro version of this says that the PC key is already in use. 

 

 

My Question is, why do I need to type this in again and then why does it tell me that I can't then use that key. I believe it is stupid if I am told I must spend more money on a product key (They're ~£70). So is there a way around this?

 

Thanks,

Joshua.

[Deviou5_]

I think this is caused by Windows being bonded to the motherboard? But I am not certain.

[Coombzy]

Call Microsoft they should reactivate it for you after verification of the product code they did it when I had the same problem with 7 and a friends PC.

[darkstar]

As mentioned by Deviou5_ its caused by the product key being bound to the mobo upon activation. Give them a call and you should be able to activate Windows without a problem.

[Samdb]

There should be a number you can call, it will be automated but you should be able to activate your OS.

[Altecice]

Its because when Windows detects major hardware changes it will unactivate its self... very simple to reactivate via the Microsoft automated system.

[Giddyguy]

I just did it on my computer. Although i have win 7 on this one, i had the same issue. just call MS and you just enter in some codes. it takes about 5 min.

[DarrenP]

With Windows 8, as soon as you activate your product the product key becomes encrypted in the BIOS of the motherboard, so if you were to throw the motherboard back in, and reinstall it wouldn't even ask you to activate. As said above the OS binds itself with the motherboard to prevent the stealing of keys. 

[Havoc]

Probably a MAC address thing. May record you mac when activating.