LukeT32
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Updated my BIOS on the Z690 classified for the 2nd time and both times I lose my Windows activation and login PIN. Can we please get a chance to the BIOS that stops a new hardware ID being generated every time I update the BIOS. **EDIT** Windows is refusing to activate now as well. I am assuming because the key has been used too many times. I have logged into Microsoft and removed the other devices even though they show the same hardware ID.
post edited by LukeT32 - 2022/11/06 14:12:59
13900k on a Z690 Classified w/ 4090 FE
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/06 14:10:51
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LukeT32
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/06 14:13:58
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Mienko Yup. I posted about this a little while ago. EVGA hasn't responded.
I commented in there as well after my 1st activation issue. I guess it was wishful thinking they would correct it. :)
13900k on a Z690 Classified w/ 4090 FE
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woodzstack
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/07 06:09:18
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yeah, I have MS products that are now "not activated" and when I call them or use the internet service says I can not activate them. They told me get a genuine key. I bought the key from MS directly years ago and it's literally in my account under products. So weird.
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LukeT32
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/07 09:25:21
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woodzstack yeah, I have MS products that are now "not activated" and when I call them or use the internet service says I can not activate them. They told me get a genuine key. I bought the key from MS directly years ago and it's literally in my account under products. So weird.
I had to deactivate my other devices and then attempt to re-activate via the auto activation in windows. It failed a few times, I restarted my PC and then it showed active again.
13900k on a Z690 Classified w/ 4090 FE
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/07 15:35:22
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LukeT32
woodzstack yeah, I have MS products that are now "not activated" and when I call them or use the internet service says I can not activate them. They told me get a genuine key. I bought the key from MS directly years ago and it's literally in my account under products. So weird.
I had to deactivate my other devices and then attempt to re-activate via the auto activation in windows. It failed a few times, I restarted my PC and then it showed active again.
Same. This is the "activation dance" I had mentioned in the other thread. It's a real pain in the tail.
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LukeT32
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/09 18:52:40
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Come on EVGA at least acknoledge this. Still can't windows to reactivate this time....
13900k on a Z690 Classified w/ 4090 FE
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8Shellac8
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/12 00:29:52
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Same problem, gave up trying to activate a while ago. Didn't think it was bios related as my trouble came up after putting in the new cpu.
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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rjohnson11
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/12 02:13:53
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EVGA_Lee
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/11/16 09:17:30
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☄ Helpfulby LukeT32 2022/11/16 16:10:24
austin86 Has anyone tried calling EVGA support about this?
I haven't posted in the thread, but I passed this over to our MB team to review a couple days ago.
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/04 10:03:05
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Quick update from me.
Flashed 2.04 on my classy last night. Still had to reset my pin after entering my PW, but for the first time Windows was still activated after flashing. Not sure if it was a fluke or if a fix was applied but not disclosed.
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Sajin
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/04 12:12:56
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On bios 2.03 when I log into my online banking account I always have to get a text verification number to verify it’s me because I believe the bios is making the computer unidentifiable. 😬
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MikeK88
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/18 12:01:31
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I was hoping to find a solution here in the forum about the Windows needing to be reactivated after a BIOS update. Guess not I have an EVGA Z690 Classified that was updated to 2.05 and now I have to reactivate Windows. This sucks! Has EVGA even made a comment about this?
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Hoggle
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/18 19:46:51
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I wonder if it’s EVGA or if it’s Microsoft at issue. I have had random times it’s wanted me to reactivate windows including during BIOs updates on even an ASUS motherboard. Luckily every time I call Microsoft they have reactivated it for me.
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Mr. Fox
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/18 20:26:24
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woodzstack yeah, I have MS products that are now "not activated" and when I call them or use the internet service says I can not activate them. They told me get a genuine key. I bought the key from MS directly years ago and it's literally in my account under products. So weird.
I have had this happen many times with BIOS updates that change HWID. There is really not a good excuse for it that I can identify. I can't think of any valid reason the HWID would need to change with a firmware revision. Once a product is released the HWID should never change unless you are cross-flashing firmware from a foreign product (like some of us do for graphics cards). It has happened to me not only with Windows, but also other software that ends up getting the product key blacklisted. MiniTool Partition Wizard and PrimoCache are two software titles that this has happened to me with besides Windows. I have stooped to using unauthorized activation mechanisms that the software developers would not approve of, but they received my money already and I acquired their products directly from them, so they're not being cheated. But, it should not be necessary to have to do this.
Wraith // EVGA Z690 Dark K|NGP|N | 13900K | MSI 4090 Suprim X | 32GB DDR5 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 | HC-500A Chiller | MO-RA3 360 D5*3 || EVGA DG-86Banshee // ASUS Z690 Apex | 13900KF | ASROCK 6900 XT OC Formula | 32GB DDR5 | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT | XT45 1080 Nova D5*2 || Corsair 5000D Airflow Half-Breed // Precision 17 7720 | 7920HQ (BGA filth) | Quadro P5000 16GB (MXM) | 32GB DDR4 || Grade A Off-Lease Refurb
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Black_Hawx1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/19 05:50:32
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same, my windows is not longer activated :) help evga, I dont want to buy another windows key everytime I update my bios
MONITOR: MSI 27" IPS MAG274R2 G-Sync 165Hz 1080PCASE: EVGA DG 77 BLACK -MODDEDMB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (BIOS 2.12)CPU: i5 12400 5.3 GHZ overclocked via BCLKAIO: Asus ROG Ryuo 120 -MODDEDRAM: 32 Gb ram Corsair DOMINATOR DDR5 5200 MhzSSD NVMe: WD SN850 NVMe 500 Gb 7000 mb/s (+500 x2 SATA3 SSD)GPU: EVGA RTX 3060 12 Gbs XCPSU: EVGA P6 SUPERNOVA 1000W PLATINUM MOUSE: G Pro X SuperlightKEYBOARD: G915
build: https://i.imgur.com/s56ZcCq.jpeg
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Mienko
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/19 12:46:49
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Hoggle I wonder if it’s EVGA or if it’s Microsoft at issue. I have had random times it’s wanted me to reactivate windows including during BIOs updates on even an ASUS motherboard. Luckily every time I call Microsoft they have reactivated it for me.
I've never had the issue with an Asus motherboard. And I had 3 different DDR5 ones within the last year that had constant bios updates. Never even had the reset PIN part.
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Black_Hawx1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/21 21:39:18
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any updates on this? this ACTIVATE WINDOWS is getting annoying
MONITOR: MSI 27" IPS MAG274R2 G-Sync 165Hz 1080PCASE: EVGA DG 77 BLACK -MODDEDMB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (BIOS 2.12)CPU: i5 12400 5.3 GHZ overclocked via BCLKAIO: Asus ROG Ryuo 120 -MODDEDRAM: 32 Gb ram Corsair DOMINATOR DDR5 5200 MhzSSD NVMe: WD SN850 NVMe 500 Gb 7000 mb/s (+500 x2 SATA3 SSD)GPU: EVGA RTX 3060 12 Gbs XCPSU: EVGA P6 SUPERNOVA 1000W PLATINUM MOUSE: G Pro X SuperlightKEYBOARD: G915
build: https://i.imgur.com/s56ZcCq.jpeg
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Mr. Fox
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/21 22:26:03
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If you really need it you can get Windows 7/8/10/11 product keys online for less than $5 and they activate automatically through a normal process because they are legit product keys. I think I paid like $1.25 each the past time or two.
Wraith // EVGA Z690 Dark K|NGP|N | 13900K | MSI 4090 Suprim X | 32GB DDR5 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 | HC-500A Chiller | MO-RA3 360 D5*3 || EVGA DG-86Banshee // ASUS Z690 Apex | 13900KF | ASROCK 6900 XT OC Formula | 32GB DDR5 | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT | XT45 1080 Nova D5*2 || Corsair 5000D Airflow Half-Breed // Precision 17 7720 | 7920HQ (BGA filth) | Quadro P5000 16GB (MXM) | 32GB DDR4 || Grade A Off-Lease Refurb
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Black_Hawx1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/22 05:52:12
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Mr. Fox If you really need it you can get Windows 7/8/10/11 product keys online for less than $5 and they activate automatically through a normal process because they are legit product keys. I think I paid like $1.25 each the past time or two.
I know that, but evga should be the ones fixing the problem or sending new windows keys, is unfair to spend money for something that happened because of the bios update (the same bios update mandatory for using the fans controller in Eleet X1) because if I keep updating the bios and buying new keys I would spend around 20 usd in the next months.
MONITOR: MSI 27" IPS MAG274R2 G-Sync 165Hz 1080PCASE: EVGA DG 77 BLACK -MODDEDMB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (BIOS 2.12)CPU: i5 12400 5.3 GHZ overclocked via BCLKAIO: Asus ROG Ryuo 120 -MODDEDRAM: 32 Gb ram Corsair DOMINATOR DDR5 5200 MhzSSD NVMe: WD SN850 NVMe 500 Gb 7000 mb/s (+500 x2 SATA3 SSD)GPU: EVGA RTX 3060 12 Gbs XCPSU: EVGA P6 SUPERNOVA 1000W PLATINUM MOUSE: G Pro X SuperlightKEYBOARD: G915
build: https://i.imgur.com/s56ZcCq.jpeg
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zippytek
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/22 06:22:59
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Black_Hawx1
Mr. Fox If you really need it you can get Windows 7/8/10/11 product keys online for less than $5 and they activate automatically through a normal process because they are legit product keys. I think I paid like $1.25 each the past time or two.
I know that, but evga should be the ones fixing the problem or sending new windows keys, is unfair to spend money for something that happened because of the bios update (the same bios update mandatory for using the fans controller in Eleet X1) because if I keep updating the bios and buying new keys I would spend around 20 usd in the next months.
if your windows key is valid, contact microsoft. updating a bios doesn't invalidate an os license. not sure what you're expecting to get from evga. i'd go hit up msft and shake their tree until they transfer your license key.
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Black_Hawx1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/22 07:54:53
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zippytek
Black_Hawx1
Mr. Fox If you really need it you can get Windows 7/8/10/11 product keys online for less than $5 and they activate automatically through a normal process because they are legit product keys. I think I paid like $1.25 each the past time or two.
I know that, but evga should be the ones fixing the problem or sending new windows keys, is unfair to spend money for something that happened because of the bios update (the same bios update mandatory for using the fans controller in Eleet X1) because if I keep updating the bios and buying new keys I would spend around 20 usd in the next months.
if your windows key is valid, contact microsoft. updating a bios doesn't invalidate an os license. not sure what you're expecting to get from evga. i'd go hit up msft and shake their tree until they transfer your license key.
it does since microsoft now cant activate the same key in the pc, already tried to contact CS and the webpage says to use the activation tool or buy a new key, "what you're expecting to get from evga" some support since the bios update caused this, this kind of input u do is useless to fixing the problem.
MONITOR: MSI 27" IPS MAG274R2 G-Sync 165Hz 1080PCASE: EVGA DG 77 BLACK -MODDEDMB: EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED (BIOS 2.12)CPU: i5 12400 5.3 GHZ overclocked via BCLKAIO: Asus ROG Ryuo 120 -MODDEDRAM: 32 Gb ram Corsair DOMINATOR DDR5 5200 MhzSSD NVMe: WD SN850 NVMe 500 Gb 7000 mb/s (+500 x2 SATA3 SSD)GPU: EVGA RTX 3060 12 Gbs XCPSU: EVGA P6 SUPERNOVA 1000W PLATINUM MOUSE: G Pro X SuperlightKEYBOARD: G915
build: https://i.imgur.com/s56ZcCq.jpeg
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Mr. Fox
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/22 09:29:51
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I agree it should not be happening, but it does and the Micro$lop Mafia won't help. They are as worthless as the mammary glands on a boar. Already been down that road with Windows and Office. They have my money, won't provide acceptable support, so I take matters into my own hands. I believe this is an honest mistake on EVGA's part and I think the only thing they need to do to fix it and prevent it in the future is never change a product name or hardware ID on something that has gone into production. Once it has, the hardware ID and product name should remain the same indefinitely. But, the solution could be tricky. Fixing it for people that installed and activated Windows on an older BIOS might have their problem fixed, but the problem will potentially be introduced on a new group of users that installed and activated Windows on a new BIOS with a different hardware ID and/or product name. Once you change the product name and hardware ID on a product in retail circulation it opens a Pandora's Box.
post edited by Mr. Fox - 2022/12/22 10:05:42
Wraith // EVGA Z690 Dark K|NGP|N | 13900K | MSI 4090 Suprim X | 32GB DDR5 | EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 | HC-500A Chiller | MO-RA3 360 D5*3 || EVGA DG-86Banshee // ASUS Z690 Apex | 13900KF | ASROCK 6900 XT OC Formula | 32GB DDR5 | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT | XT45 1080 Nova D5*2 || Corsair 5000D Airflow Half-Breed // Precision 17 7720 | 7920HQ (BGA filth) | Quadro P5000 16GB (MXM) | 32GB DDR4 || Grade A Off-Lease Refurb
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jll544
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/24 22:55:55
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If anyone is planning to update their BIOS, or if you have multiple versions installed on different chips, would you please try the following: - Launch an admin-level PowerShell, and then run the command "Get-TpmEndorsementKeyInfo sha256".
- The output will include your PublicKeyHash. Take note of it somewhere.
- Update BIOS (or switch to a different chip). Reboot back into Windows, and check if it's still activated.
- Run the command again, and compare the PublicKeyHash with the one you recorded previously.
No need to post the actual hash, I'm just interested to know if it's changing across BIOS updates.
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raiden2a
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/24 23:48:27
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jll544 If anyone is planning to update their BIOS, or if you have multiple versions installed on different chips, would you please try the following:
- Launch an admin-level PowerShell, and then run the command "Get-TpmEndorsementKeyInfo sha256".
- The output will include your PublicKeyHash. Take note of it somewhere.
- Update BIOS (or switch to a different chip). Reboot back into Windows, and check if it's still activated.
- Run the command again, and compare the PublicKeyHash with the one you recorded previously.
No need to post the actual hash, I'm just interested to know if it's changing across BIOS updates.
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.
post edited by raiden2a - 2022/12/24 23:54:35
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MikeK88
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/25 07:38:51
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After 8 hours of having 6 different "techs" take control of my PC to confirm that there is a problem they grudgingly gave me a new key. I had to go through 3 tiers of "specialists" who eventually confirmed that there was nothing wrong with my PC or installation. However they could not explain why the link between my Microsoft account and my device was broken. If you're stubborn and get a little loud, after the 8th hour, they will issue a new key if you had bought it from the Microsoft Store. I don't know if they would issue a new product key if you had purchased a retail box from the local computer store. I don't know if I am going to update my BIOS again after all this crap unless either EVGA or Microsoft can fix this.
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jll544
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/25 08:42:56
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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.
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Th3D3ad1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/30 13:55:36
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I just updated a system from 2.01 to 2.06 and lost activation. I also updated another system from 2.05 to 2.06 and had no issues.
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Th3D3ad1
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/30 14:31:05
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Well, I stand corrected. The 2.05 to 2.06 did have issues. It showed up later after multiple reboots.
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Ekwb1103
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Re: BIOS update causing Windows activation issues
2022/12/30 17:34:55
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Also check cpu and dram OC on classified with 13 gen pls, sorry for flood, just now its worst board on the market (any board with 6 pcb layers have better OC potential then this)
post edited by Ekwb1103 - 2022/12/30 17:43:04
PC - 13700KF | Z690 Classified | 32gb DDR5 | 4080 Gaming OC | Lian Li Dynamic EVO | Lian Li Galahad 360 Uni | Deepcool PQ1000M | 10 UNI FAN SLDevices - Gigabyte M27Q X | Razer Viper Ultimate | Razer Blackvidow V3 pro | Sennheiser RS175
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