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changing motherboard

sproutickler
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Go to solution Solved by xeromynd,

You can install windows anywhere, as long as you have a product key. Retail boxes should be no problem. OEM discs might give you a small headache because afaik, those ARE locked to hardware. That being said, I've swapped hardware with the same OEM windows 7 key, all you need to do is call the telephone activation # and do it that way.

 

You'll probably want to format your old drive to use for data storage.

 

You can never go wrong with clean installing windows when swapping out something as integral to your system as a motherboard. 

Posted

im getting a new motherboard but do i have to reinstall windows or anything. i thought windows was stuck to your motherboard that you install it on.

Windows might ask for your product key again, no need to reinstall or anything.

But be sure to install your chipset drivers for your new motherboard

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As above. If you have any issues with Windows activation, give Microsoft a call and explain the situation.

 

I'd recommend a fresh installation of Windows with a new motherboard anyway. That way you can start fresh, without potential driver issues.

Need help with the RMA/retail side of things? Feel free to send me a PM, always happy to share my industry experience with others.

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As above. If you have any issues with Windows activation, give Microsoft a call and explain the situation.

 

I'd recommend a fresh installation of Windows with a new motherboard anyway. That way you can start fresh, without potential driver issues.

 

^ this

 

9/10 times it will boot, but then you still have all the drivers and crap from your last motherboard.

Then you have to install new drivers for the new motherboard. Probably won't be a problem, but just beware, some errors or BSOD's might appear.

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  • Solution

You can install windows anywhere, as long as you have a product key. Retail boxes should be no problem. OEM discs might give you a small headache because afaik, those ARE locked to hardware. That being said, I've swapped hardware with the same OEM windows 7 key, all you need to do is call the telephone activation # and do it that way.

 

You'll probably want to format your old drive to use for data storage.

 

You can never go wrong with clean installing windows when swapping out something as integral to your system as a motherboard. 

CPU  5820k - 4.0GHz @ 1.27V  |  MOBO X99-Pro  |  RAM 16GB Ballistic @ 2133MHz  |  PSU HX750i 

 

 COOLING  Kraken X61 - 6x NF-A14 iPPC  |  DRIVES  256GB 950 Pro - 2x 1TB Travelstar - 1x 1TB WD Black

 

 

GPU  EVGA GTX980 SC |  CASE  R5  |  OS  Win 8.1 Pro  |  MISC   Cablemod C-Series White Set

 

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