WANT TO CHANGE MOTHERBOARD HELP

Project:Zed · March 10, 2016

Hi there I am a new member. My question is, I want to change my current motherboard and CPU (ASUS M5A97 LE 2.0 RE & FX 8350) to a MSI Z97 GAMING 5 & I7 4790K. Do I have to redownload windows? (Windows 10) or can I just replace it and start up normally. I don't have the disc and key anymore. EDIT* THANKS GUYS!!!! I THINK ILL USE MAGIC THINGY TO GET THE KEY AND DO THE SWAP THANKS!!

scottyseng · March 10, 2016

3 minutes ago, Project:Zed said:

Hi there I am a new member. My question is, I want to change my current motherboard and CPU (ASUS M5A97 LE 2.0 RE & FX 8350) to a MSI Z97 GAMING 5 & I7 4790K. Do I have to redownload windows? (Windows 10) or can I just replace it and start up normally. I don't have the disc and key anymore.

Yes, you will have to reinstall Windows. Windows 10 works on digital keys that are keyed to your motherboard.

havok0159 · March 10, 2016

No you do not have to reinstall windows. It will detect the new motherboard and ask you to authentificate by introducting your password in the settings menu (if you are using a Microsoft account) and you will have to activate windows. Note that the activation will fail if your key is OEM and not Retai, you can retrieve your key using Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder or something similar.

While you don't NEED to reinstall, it is the easiest way to purge your system of all the old drivers and it's entirely possible that your old drivers will cause stability issues.

ClobberXD · March 10, 2016

6 minutes ago, Project:Zed said:

Hi there I am a new member. My question is, I want to change my current motherboard and CPU (ASUS M5A97 LE 2.0 RE & FX 8350) to a MSI Z97 GAMING 5 & I7 4790K. Do I have to redownload windows? (Windows 10) or can I just replace it and start up normally. I don't have the disc and key anymore.

Unfortunately, Windows' got a feature called 'Secure Boot' that stores your OS' keys in a non-volatile chip on your motherboard itself. So, damn it, you need to re-install Windows. Fret not, there are websites, which legitimately give you Windows for even about $20.

SeanAngelo · March 10, 2016

24 minutes ago, Project:Zed said:

Hi there I am a new member. My question is, I want to change my current motherboard and CPU (ASUS M5A97 LE 2.0 RE & FX 8350) to a MSI Z97 GAMING 5 & I7 4790K. Do I have to redownload windows? (Windows 10) or can I just replace it and start up normally. I don't have the disc and key anymore.

its recommended to do a clean install of windows whenever changing motherboard chipsets to avoid any issues.