I have an older laptop that has some really expensive software licenses on it. I need to change the laptop motherboard. Would it be safe to do this and retain all the information on the laptop. I read that if you get the identical motherboard it will work and the laptop won't notice. Is this true as I have a lot riding on this.
Older Laptop thats needs motherboard replaced but has expensive licensed software on it.
- Thread starter Morgraig
- Start date
Solution
- Sep 13, 2010
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It really depends on the specific software licenses -- the idea of an identical motherboard is true for many older Microsoft OEM OS products, but licenses vary greatly.
I would check with the software vendor as to the transferability to another computer.
I would check with the software vendor as to the transferability to another computer.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,760
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Even with an identical motherboard, it may or may not balk at booting properly. Anyone that says "yeah, it always works" does not read enough in here.
The Windows install will 'probably' work, but there are no guarantees. It may want to reinstall, it may ask for a reactivation, it may just proceed on as if nothing happened.
Your other software? If a Windows reisntall is needed...only you can tell what happens with that stuff.
The Windows install will 'probably' work, but there are no guarantees. It may want to reinstall, it may ask for a reactivation, it may just proceed on as if nothing happened.
Your other software? If a Windows reisntall is needed...only you can tell what happens with that stuff.
Tom Tancredi
Judicious
- May 9, 2013
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As far as they say, yes if the exact same Mobo, BIOS, etc. is swapped out the licensing shouldn't be a issue for Windows. Personally though I think your putting too much at stake on this high risk, as the 'replacement' is probably used, and again how long will it last, a month? a year? then your back in the same boat.
In Risk Management I think this is considered a 'crux' moment, when it would be best to address this high risk and high cost scenario instead of trying to 'push it off' again with another risky solution. If you have expensive software on this computer, you should have the backups and most of all original CD/DVDs for it. Computers and software do not retain their 'value' in how you perceive the 'expense' you originally invested in it. For example a Color Laser printer 10 years ago (probably when you got this laptop and software) was easily $10,000 for anyone willing to buy one. Today you grab one at Walmart for $199 and is Wireless for cripes sake. So while you invested in that $10K 10 years ago, is that still worth 10K today? No. The same with the 'very expensive software'.
It is time to look at this like any other infrastructure (vehicles to move your products, buildings to rent to work out of, manufacturing machine that now is obsolete, etc.) and time to reinvest wisely in the long term use of the software's current iteration (more options? more integration? less install costs? etc.?) as compared to these legacy things. You get one good Nimda or even a Stuxnet (which doesn't need any Internet connection) and this machine is a total loss and you lose ALL the software. Now would be the best time to fully fund properly bringing this system up to date, up to code, and with backup and methods for all case scenarios.
In Risk Management I think this is considered a 'crux' moment, when it would be best to address this high risk and high cost scenario instead of trying to 'push it off' again with another risky solution. If you have expensive software on this computer, you should have the backups and most of all original CD/DVDs for it. Computers and software do not retain their 'value' in how you perceive the 'expense' you originally invested in it. For example a Color Laser printer 10 years ago (probably when you got this laptop and software) was easily $10,000 for anyone willing to buy one. Today you grab one at Walmart for $199 and is Wireless for cripes sake. So while you invested in that $10K 10 years ago, is that still worth 10K today? No. The same with the 'very expensive software'.
It is time to look at this like any other infrastructure (vehicles to move your products, buildings to rent to work out of, manufacturing machine that now is obsolete, etc.) and time to reinvest wisely in the long term use of the software's current iteration (more options? more integration? less install costs? etc.?) as compared to these legacy things. You get one good Nimda or even a Stuxnet (which doesn't need any Internet connection) and this machine is a total loss and you lose ALL the software. Now would be the best time to fully fund properly bringing this system up to date, up to code, and with backup and methods for all case scenarios.
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