Building new system with current SSD, HDD... Need new OS?

tristanbane

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Oct 3, 2013
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10,510
I'm currently doing a new build that will be carrying my current SSD, HDD, and optical drive transplanted over.... everything ELSE is brand new (CPU, Mobo, GPUs, etc...). Do I need to reinstall a fresh OS or would it already be inside the SSD and safe to operate with new CPU & Mobo??

Thank you!
 

tristanbane

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
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10,510
So I would need to buy a new OS?
Edit: ah okay USAFRet just answered my question. haha thank you

Also, I have my OS on my SSD... how do I go about keeping the files in there while installing? Would the "back-up" be able to recover them in the new installation?
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Depends on what you mean by 'files'.
Your personal stuff? Docs, etc? Simply save them elsewhere.
Applications? Gather all the install disks and files, and reinstall them after the OS install.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Right. But if the original is an OEM Windows 7....that key is tied to the original motherboard.
 

tristanbane

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Oct 3, 2013
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10,510
Yeah.. the motherboard is being replaced in the new build so I don't think I can go ahead and validate it. :(
Looks like a new OS it is.
Luckily I only kept applications in my SSD and not documents/files/etc. I was just wondering if a recovery option would help save some time reinstalling them one by one. haha
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


I wouldn't count on it. I'd rather just reinstall, and know it works. That also gives you the option of what specific application to install on which drive.
(I did this just a couple of months ago)
 
I would try fresh installing and using your current key. If OEM, it will likely not activate during the install since you're changing the mobo, but a call to MS's activation line might resolve it. Just tell them your computer died and you replaced the parts. The worst they will do is tell you to buy a new copy. Best case scenario is that they will give you an activation code (9 groups of 6 or 7 digits) and you are set.