Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/30 19:31:50
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Th3D3ad1
Well, I stand corrected. The 2.05 to 2.06 did have issues. It showed up later after multiple reboots.
I just updated from 2.05 to 2.06 and it shows as activated on first boot. Will keep an eye on it.
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EVGA_Lee
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/01/05 09:24:21
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☄ Helpfulby Cool GTX 2023/03/07 09:39:37
jll544
raiden2a
While fixing my memory overclock issue (user error); I saw your post and ran it for you:
2.04 395d...
2.05 aa7a...
Edit: 2.01 it was Activated - Validated on Microsoft's side in the Account. As i moved up to 2.03 is when I lost it.
Thanks for checking. It confirms that the public Endorsement Key gets a different value each time TPM/PTT is initialized, which explains the activation problem. EkPub is included in Microsoft's "hardware hash" that uniquely identifies the PC. With that value changing, we get only a few reactivations before being locked down.
To fix this, EVGA would need to change the way they flash the BIOS. As it stands, they always overwrite the entire chip, which means that the ME region (and the TPM/PTT data inside it) is wiped out. Other manufacturers get around this by updating the various flash regions independently.
ASUS, for example, provides an MEUpdateTool separate from BIOS files, which implies that the ME region is untouched during their normal BIOS update. Preserving the TPM/PTT state also should eliminate the need to reset your login PIN after a BIOS flash.
What I can say is that this could be the reason that some people people are getting this issue. We do not have current plans to address this with a hotfix, for example, but our BIOS team will study this as time allows and possibly make an adjustment in the future.
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Brianygarv
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/01/09 02:38:53
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I noticed that you mentioned that other manufacturers, like ASUS, have a separate tool for updating the ME region, which preserves the TPM/PTT state and eliminates the need to reset the login PIN. Maybe EVGA could consider implementing a similar solution in the future to avoid these activation issues. In the meantime, it might be worth trying to see if you can find a way to restore your previous BIOS version. I'm not sure if that's possible on your motherboard, but it's worth looking into. You could also try finding . It might be worth a shot if you're unable to reactivate your current key. Just be careful when using keys from unknown sources, as they may not be legitimate. I hope this helps!
post edited by Brianygarv - 2023/01/11 02:36:43
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/01/09 04:07:19
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I'd be happy if EVGA notified MSFT that the way their bios is updating is causing this problem, so that MSFT could potentially address the key problem on their side where we're being blocked out of digitally activating due to too many reactivations.
Might not need a technical fix, so much as a process one.
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LukeT32
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/01/10 18:52:37
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☄ Helpfulby Cool GTX 2023/03/07 09:40:07
Here is my post from the 2.06 BIOS thread. Updated from 2.02 and ran into the Windows activation issue but this time my find friends at Microsoft keep sending me 6 digit security codes not the required 7 digit Windows 11 is asking my for. I have tried by email and by text message. Both ways I'm sent a 6 digit code.... Tried adding a secondary email per a Microsoft support thread and the change won't go into affect for 30 days. So apparently I just have a massive paper weight until I reinstall windows.... **Edit** Looks like MS security stuff is broken. https://answers.microsoft...Relevance&dir=Desc **Edit 2** 45 minutes later... 7 emails and 4 text message attempts I got a 7 digit code.
post edited by LukeT32 - 2023/01/10 19:05:15
13900k on a Z690 Classified w/ 4090 FE
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8Shellac8
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/07 03:42:06
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As soon as I upgraded to a z790 my windows activated. It's the board.
Z690 Classified/13700k 32GB Neo Forza Trinity 6400 3080ti FTW3 Ultra Hydro Copper SK hynix P41 1TB/P31 .5TB NVMe M.2 1000W EVGA P5 Custom Loop
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jason9755
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/07 08:02:57
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8Shellac8
As soon as I upgraded to a z790 my windows activated. It's the board.
Windows activation detected a hardware change, it's not the board.
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G6MB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (bios v. 2.12)CPU: Intel Core i9-12900KCPU Cooler: EVGA CLC 360mmMemory: Corsair 32 GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000mhzMonitor: Alienware AW2521H GPU: EVGA 3080 Ti FTW3 ULTRA Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow OS: Windows 11 ProKeyboard: EVGA Z20Mouse: Finalmouse Starlight Poseidon
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cdc-951
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/07 08:31:34
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As feedback can we improve boot time on bios. My Z690 Strix booted windows on my 980 pro in 5-6 seconds, EVGA takes 10+ seconds sometime on bios 2.08... 2.10 crashes my PC and my hardware is fine as I tested it with the Z690 Strix E and 12900K
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jason9755
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/07 08:50:19
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cdc-951
As feedback can we improve boot time on bios. My Z690 Strix booted windows on my 980 pro in 5-6 seconds, EVGA takes 10+ seconds sometime on bios 2.08... 2.10 crashes my PC and my hardware is fine as I tested it with the Z690 Strix E and 12900K
You should start a new thread as this thread is specifically about bios causing windows activation.
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G6MB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (bios v. 2.12)CPU: Intel Core i9-12900KCPU Cooler: EVGA CLC 360mmMemory: Corsair 32 GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000mhzMonitor: Alienware AW2521H GPU: EVGA 3080 Ti FTW3 ULTRA Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow OS: Windows 11 ProKeyboard: EVGA Z20Mouse: Finalmouse Starlight Poseidon
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cdc-951
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/07 09:00:40
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jason9755
cdc-951
As feedback can we improve boot time on bios. My Z690 Strix booted windows on my 980 pro in 5-6 seconds, EVGA takes 10+ seconds sometime on bios 2.08... 2.10 crashes my PC and my hardware is fine as I tested it with the Z690 Strix E and 12900K
You should start a new thread as this thread is specifically about bios causing windows activation.
I am just adding to the thread is all as feedback over all for EVGA to keep seeing. Though yes this seems to be an issue what you guys mentioned and just giving it a bump
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LordBane
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/17 11:06:40
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I opened a ticket with EVGA to see if it was safe to update the bios in my MB again. After having had to buy 2 new licenses for windows, if I have to do it again, I'm just going to buy an ASUS board as it will be cheaper.
Anyways, I got the response which follows.
"We are aware of the issue that people have reported involving these motherboards and Windows activations. Unfortunately, we do not have a fix for this at this time."
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jason9755
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/17 12:31:06
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LordBane,
As previously stated in this tread its Windows licensing service detecting a hardware change and activating a new device on your MS account with each bios update. This also happens with Asus, MSI etc. My MS account has 3 EVGA z690 Classified devices and 2 Asus z690 Apex from bios updates. I've already contacted MS tech support and this is what they emailed me.
"I am Dave, I will help you with this.
That is caused by the way the Windows licensing service reads the data from the motherboard."
Simply log into your MS account and under devices remove previous devices.
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G6MB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (bios v. 2.12)CPU: Intel Core i9-12900KCPU Cooler: EVGA CLC 360mmMemory: Corsair 32 GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000mhzMonitor: Alienware AW2521H GPU: EVGA 3080 Ti FTW3 ULTRA Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow OS: Windows 11 ProKeyboard: EVGA Z20Mouse: Finalmouse Starlight Poseidon
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/17 13:28:24
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jason9755
LordBane,
As previously stated in this tread its Windows licensing service detecting a hardware change and activating a new device on your MS account with each bios update. This also happens with Asus, MSI etc. My MS account has 3 EVGA z690 Classified devices and 2 Asus z690 Apex from bios updates. I've already contacted MS tech support and this is what they emailed me.
"I am Dave, I will help you with this.
That is caused by the way the Windows licensing service reads the data from the motherboard."
Simply log into your MS account and under devices remove previous devices.
I never had this problem on any boards before my Classified. And I came from 2 asus z690 boards (Formula & Extreme) before my Classy.
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ObscureEmpyre
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/20 17:48:05
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I never had this problem on any boards before my Classified. And I came from 2 asus z690 boards (Formula & Extreme) before my Classy.
Are you on Windows 11? I hadn’t had this issue before either, but I did after I’d had an Asus Z690 RMA’d. Same exact board model. Years previously, I’d RMA’d a Gigabyte Z390 board and didn’t have an issue, but that was Windows 10. And years before that, I RMA’d an X58 board for the same model. Windows 7 didn’t prompt me to reactivate. Also on Windows 7 before that, I’d come from a completely different board and CPU architecture to said X58. Still didn't need to reactivate Windows. I’m no hardware architect or software engineer, but my own experience has me thinking it’s somehow Windows 11 with its strict hardware requirements. OS license type could be a factor as well. I just don’t know. Wish I did.
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/20 19:49:36
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ObscureEmpyre
Are you on Windows 11? I hadn’t had this issue before either, but I did after I’d had an Asus Z690 RMA’d. Same exact board model. Years previously, I’d RMA’d a Gigabyte Z390 board and didn’t have an issue, but that was Windows 10. And years before that, I RMA’d an X58 board for the same model. Windows 7 didn’t prompt me to reactivate. Also on Windows 7 before that, I’d come from a completely different board and CPU architecture to said X58. Still didn't need to reactivate Windows. I’m no hardware architect or software engineer, but my own experience has me thinking it’s somehow Windows 11 with its strict hardware requirements. OS license type could be a factor as well. I just don’t know. Wish I did.
I am on W11. Pretty much went all in upon release. My 10900k Asus Hero (also W11) I used prior never had the issue either. Can't say whether it's specific to W11 only, but I can say that I've never experienced it on any board prior. My main PC is the only one with the classy and the other 4 PCs having been running W11 since launch, have gotten several bios updates, and never see the issue. None of them are Z690 boards though (and I returned the 2 Asus Z690 boards I had early on due to bios updates at the time not solving my memory/XMP issues). I will say that in my case, while the activation issue has been a pain, the board has been rock solid stable (aside from the 2.0x bios issues I had with 12th gen that went away when I dropped on a 13th gen).
post edited by Mienko - 2023/03/20 20:38:03
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ObscureEmpyre
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/20 20:42:34
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Mienko
I am on W11. Pretty much went all in upon release. My 10900k Asus Hero (also W11) I used prior never had the issue either. Can't say whether it's specific to W11 only, but I can say that I've never experienced it on any board prior. My main PC is the only one with the classy and the other 4 PCs having been running W11 since launch, have gotten several bios updates, and never see the issue. None of them are Z690 boards though (and I returned the 2 Asus Z690 boards I had early on due to bios updates at the time not solving my memory/XMP issues). I will say that in my case, while the activation issue has been a pain, the board has been rock solid stable (aside from the 2.0x bios issues I had with 12th gen that went away when I dropped on a 13th gen).
I’ll have to keep that in mind about 12th vs 13th gen, but I was hoping to not have to/want to upgrade until at least 14th gen. I’ve got a 12900K that presents an audible an irritating buzz coming from the CPU socket area. Disabling C1 fixes that, but it limits the clock speeds to 4.9/3.7. Just wish it’d fix the faint beep when I click a mouse button. Some kind of crosstalk noise I suspect. Thankfully, I never hear that when gaming. Still, it’s a pain along with other 12th gen woes. Maybe if the 13900K has an enticing enough sale on its way out, I’ll pick one up.
post edited by ObscureEmpyre - 2023/03/20 20:44:52
 
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/03/21 01:07:55
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ObscureEmpyre
I’ll have to keep that in mind about 12th vs 13th gen, but I was hoping to not have to/want to upgrade until at least 14th gen. I’ve got a 12900K that presents an audible an irritating buzz coming from the CPU socket area. Disabling C1 fixes that, but it limits the clock speeds to 4.9/3.7. Just wish it’d fix the faint beep when I click a mouse button. Some kind of crosstalk noise I suspect. Thankfully, I never hear that when gaming. Still, it’s a pain along with other 12th gen woes. Maybe if the 13900K has an enticing enough sale on its way out, I’ll pick one up.
Yeah. Honestly, I wouldn't have upgraded as the 12900k was running fine, but got some Amazon credit and justified it by only needing to spend another 400 bucks for the ks. lol Now I'll just wait for the z790 dark to go on sale to upgrade my board, then the z690 classy will become my new unraid server (then I can pass that system down the line to upgrade one of my kids' rigs). It's a vicious cycle. lol
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jonah255
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2023/05/30 12:00:34
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I'm suspicious that I've had the same thing occur after flashing my asrock z690 board. I called microsoft and they said the key (OEM) had been activated twice already which lines up with the fact I was on my third bios. I wonder if this is an Intel issue? Too many darn cooks in the kitchen. No one will take responsibility. :( I was thinking that I should deactivate the key prior to the flash but that probably wouldn't help with an OEM key but it might with a retail key. edit: tried to add links to reddit / microsoft posts but they were blocked :( There is one on answers.microsoft that's pretty extensive (title: windows-activation-after-bios-update ).
post edited by jonah255 - 2023/05/30 12:30:27
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