Do i need to reinstall Windows 7?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

tevihn

Honorable
May 4, 2013
14
0
10,510
I am planning on upgrading my PC very soon. I will be getting a new motherboard and a new processor. What I am afraid of is having to reinstall windows 7 or even worse having to buy a new license. I still have my current motherboards windows 7 install disc, don't know if that matters or not.

My current motherboard: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_IV_FORMULA/
My current processor:http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Processor-Edition-HDT90ZFBGRBOX/dp/B003FVI2KQ

New motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877
New processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284


Any help will be much appreciated, I'm pretty new to working on computers.
 
Solution
Tradesman1
Make a good backup and try just installing the drive as is, chances are good it will read the new mobo, install default drivers and you'll be up and running, next update the latest mobo drivers for your new mobo, run a registry cleaner (Wise has a free version) and then may have to reactivate Win...works about 9+ times out of ten
Sort by date Sort by votes
clutchc

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador
Apr 22, 2009
43,150
411
131,790
Since they are both similar Asus MBs, you may get lucky and be able to boot to the original installation. If so, Windows will spend some time loading default drivers and have you reboot once or twice. Then... install the new drivers for the new board. Afterwards, run CCleaner to clean up all the registry errors that will be present. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
Win7 doesn't care about the processor, just the MB. Of course, Win7 may still notice the change at the next update and ask you to jump through a few hoops to re-activate Windows again. But even then, it is better than a 50-50 chance you'll get it re-activated w/o having to buy a new license.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Aug 3, 2006
28,224
1,514
133,290
Per the license agreement, Yes, you are required to purchase a new Windows 7 License (assuming this is an OEM install). However, as clutchc states, you have fairly good odds that Microsoft will look the other way when you call to re-activate and just give you a new key.

-Wolf sends
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
Make a good backup and try just installing the drive as is, chances are good it will read the new mobo, install default drivers and you'll be up and running, next update the latest mobo drivers for your new mobo, run a registry cleaner (Wise has a free version) and then may have to reactivate Win...works about 9+ times out of ten
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
T

tevihn

Honorable
May 4, 2013
14
0
10,510
Really good answers everyone, thanks for that. One more questions though.............. How do i install drivers (And honestly im not entirely sure what you mean by install drivers) once i put the new parts in?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
The new mobo will come with a disk of the various drivers for the mobo, can use those, will improve stability and they will install automatically, I generally go to the mobo site and just download the latest versions and install those - same as any program, go to the file and double click on it once downloaded and they will install
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

tevihn

Honorable
May 4, 2013
14
0
10,510



Thanks much for all of the help. Would it be okay to PM you when I get the parts in a couple weeks? Im sure I'll have one or two more questions then
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom