New Operating System when upgrading motherboard?

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rhysneville

rhysneville

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Hi,
Let me run you through the history of my PC..
I bought a refurbished 'HP 1070uk' about a year ago. (Full specs here - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c02902545)
Near christmas time, I upgraded the GPU and PSU to a GTX 660 Ti and a OCZ 650w Power supply.
Yesterday I bought a new case, a zalman z11 and a new motherboard, a MSI Z77A-G45.

I was just wondering do I have to fork out another £50 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140961618610?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648, to buy a new operating system or can I use my current one? (Windows 7 home premium 64bit)



Not sure if this helps but when I go onto 'My Computer', it shows 2 hard drives, even though I have one, one is my actual hard drive and everything on that is mine. On the other is 'HP_RECOVERY' - http://imgur.com/aOlEIiD

Also, this is my first time upgrading my pc (on my own) any advice/tips? Please give me information about grounding myself, I REALLY don't want to screw up my pc haha!
 
Solution
unoriginal1
If it's a retail version of Win 7 64 bit you can reinstall and be ok.

If it's OEM it would be considered a new machine and a new License would be required.

That's the short and simple... Since it's an upgrade "technically" your not allowed to use the same license and MS see's this as a new machine. You can by all means give them a call when you get ready to activate and see if they will allow you to use it.
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unoriginal1

unoriginal1

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If it's a retail version of Win 7 64 bit you can reinstall and be ok.

If it's OEM it would be considered a new machine and a new License would be required.

That's the short and simple... Since it's an upgrade "technically" your not allowed to use the same license and MS see's this as a new machine. You can by all means give them a call when you get ready to activate and see if they will allow you to use it.
 
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rhysneville

rhysneville

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So basically that's a no? Because I'm guessing it's OEM then.

What if I want to sell the old motherboard, could I say it comes with windows 7 or does it not?
Also, would you recommend the OS in the link I provided?
 
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Trenchcoat

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The only way you could get away with that (and not get done for false advertising) is if you sold the processor and hard drive containing the operating system along with it.... essentially maintaining the guts of the system that work as a windows 7 machine. That would still leave you without an operating system and even more.
 
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rhysneville

rhysneville

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Haha oh right! Well thanks for answering me and being patient even though I ask seemingly stupid questions.

Can any of you provide me with an easy step by step guide to upgrading my motherboard? The steps I need to take before, during and after, if you could that would be great!
 
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rhysneville

rhysneville

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Thought so, it's just the one's I have watched don't give any information on what to do before swapping the motherboards. For example if you need to back up stuff...
 
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Trenchcoat

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It's good housekeeping to run on a completely fresh install. Whenever I perform a major system upgrade I get a new disk drive (they have a finite lifespan). Install the OS and other software until it's all running lightning fast then plug in my old hard drive. Anything I have to keep will be copied over, everything else will likely be replaced in time.

Chances are you will run into problems with re-installing windows while keeping your existing files and some important data may be lost. If you don't want to take chances with precious data, get another disk drive first. On the other hand, if there's nothing you won't miss, just format that drive and start from scratch.
 
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unoriginal1

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Back up any data you need. Your going to do a clean install of the OS anyways so you'll want to have your important data else where so you can transfer it back to the new machine when your done.'

be VERY careful when purchasing OS's on ebay... I don't know the exact conversion in euro's to usd but that looks extremely cheap for a Win 7 Home license. It could be a scam or they are trying to pawn off an OEM license like the one you already have (which is illegal on their part) Personally I would only go through a reputable source for an OS. MS store etc. Or you can always use Linux. It's free.

For a mobo replacement I like the idea above that a picture and vid are worth a thousand words. So to add to that advice. Do not replace it on a carpeted area, or anything that would generate static. Components are susceptible to damage if shocked. Even if it's very very small. Ground yourself by resting your bare skin on the metal of the case. Or using an esd strap and or mat. If you can turn a screw driver you can replace a mobo. Watch a vid on installing an entire computer because your going to have to do things like Install the CPU and use Thermal Grease and Seat the heat sink properly. It's all very easy to do, but does need to be done right. If you have any questions let us know. No question is to trivial :). Best of luck
 
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