Updated MSI Motherboard's UEFI, Lost Windows Activation...

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by PolidelticusFire, Nov 7, 2022.

  1. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

    May 7, 2020
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    A few days ago MSI released a new firmware with Intel microcode updates...
    As always I downloaded the new firmware and flashed it...

    However, upgrading the UEFI also upgraded the SMBIOS version from 3.3 to 3.5.
    I believe this caused Windows to think I changed the motherboard... So I lost HWID activation.

    I did manage to regain activation but this is still very strange... Why would a UEFI update be seen by Windows as a hardware change?!
     
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  2. WindowsGeek

    WindowsGeek MDL Expert

    Jun 30, 2015
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    Try re-activate it using the generic key
     
  3. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    Activation with Generic key - this is something very new in this strange world!
     
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  4. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Because the bios (mainboard) probably is part of the hash on which the HWID is generated?
     
  5. nosirrahx

    nosirrahx MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2017
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    MSI kind of sucks when it comes to BIOS updates. I saw a MSI BIOS update brick bitlocker because apparently there is no provision to warn about this or backup/preserve the key.

    MSI is also pretty famous for releasing 1 BIOS update a year on their premium laptops BUT if you actually look at the update, its the same one from last year with a new date, none of the modules or microcode is updated.
     
  6. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    I don't recommended do any bios updates unless you have serious bios problems.
    in bad case, motherboard gone, in good case, you even need this update ? did it solve anything ? so ..
     
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  7. d5aqoëp

    d5aqoëp MDL Addicted

    Jan 19, 2017
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    Use massgravel from github to get your hwid activation back.
     
  8. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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  9. MS_User

    MS_User MDL Guru

    Nov 30, 2014
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    flashing the bios is always tricky business ....always the chance of bricking the mobo in the worse case scenario :rolleyes:
     
  10. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

    May 7, 2020
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    Yep. Luckily I never had the power go out or any other crash happen during the process. But I agree I need an UPS just in case.
     
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  11. yes sir a single electric fluctuation will result in ? for mobo but if we are sure about elecricity & correct bios update for correct mobo. then we can easily update it using dos.
     
  12. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Guru

    Feb 11, 2009
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    How did you flash it? M-Flash? AFUWin? If you used FPT then you may have cleared the UUID/SN. It could also wipe you mac address on intel nic (but I've never seen it clear realtek mac address).
    I doubt smbios revision would cause this issue.
     
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  13. PolidelticusFire

    PolidelticusFire MDL Addicted

    May 7, 2020
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    Using the mobo's built-in M-Flash utility. But this is the first time I see a UEFI update also change the SMBIOS version.
     
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  14. alpha2beta

    alpha2beta MDL Novice

    Jul 16, 2015
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    What a boomer response. Please go back to Windows XP and turn updates off, because updates never do anything.
    This isn't the 90s 2000s anymore.
     
  15. atgpud2003

    atgpud2003 MDL Addicted

    Apr 30, 2015
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    I had been never had problems Flashing Bios as long I using APC UPS system and backup all Bitlocker key file each hard drive profiles into USB Flash in case.. ALWAYS do extra homework with Flashing BIOS in case Motherboard MSI has no backup EZ Flash recoveries.. I know ASUS has it.. I did before when I place correct flash into my ASUS motherboard.. I always backup EZ Flash first and then I can flash new one as long right model # and etc.. I had happen once, Did not brick me out.. HAS a EZ Flash Recovery backdoor and Reflash old one and works fine.. :)

    ATGPUD2003