How to Install a new motherboard and CPU.

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Spath87

Spath87

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I'm looking to purchase a new motherboard and CPU to replace my existing ones but I've never worked with replacing either before and don't want to mess it up. Does anyone have a guide to the steps involved? Or can someone list the steps for me? I assume I have to update all my peripheral drivers first, deactivate all installed applications that require a product, make a back-up of all my files, etc... But is there anything else that is essential that needs to be done to make this work smoothly? Do I need to do anything specific with my OS? Any help would be very much appreciated.

AMD FX(tm)-4200 Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3
G. Skill Ripjaws 1600 16GB (4 x 4)
Nvidia GeForce GTX660
Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB
Windows 8.1
 
Solution
clutchc
Physically, it is just removing the old and replacing the new. Then connect wires and cables back up. But you will more than likely need to re-install the OS anew because Win has installed itself with MB device drivers for the old board. The Registry will be a mess even if you manage to get it to boot.
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Spath87

Spath87

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That doesn't really answer my question. Did I list everything I need to do before I swap motherboards or is there more to do? Are there essential steps that I must take in order to ensure that everything works properly after the swap?
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Physically, it is just removing the old and replacing the new. Then connect wires and cables back up. But you will more than likely need to re-install the OS anew because Win has installed itself with MB device drivers for the old board. The Registry will be a mess even if you manage to get it to boot.
 
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Solution
clutchc

clutchc

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You will have to re-install all drivers. The MB drivers found on the MB utility disk as well as any drivers for the components you have installed and peripherals you have connected, yes. Just like building a new computer. Win will have to have all its updates re-installed and you will have to re-install all your programs/games anew.
 
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Spath87

Spath87

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Makes sense. I've seen a bunch of other forum posts about this type of upgrade but none were very clear on what the process was. Do you have any advice/experience with programs that require an activation key? I've seen some posts that claim Windows needs to be reactivated by calling their support line. Also, do you know if there are usually issues with Office?
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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I gave up on Win 8, 8.1, and the 10 demo. Tried 'em... not for me. I pretty much stay with Win7 now. But I believe that Win8.x will allow up to 3 installs on new machines as long as it is on only one of them at a time. M$ changed the license rules when Win8 came out. And if you have Win 8 Pro, you get download rights to Win7 as well. My Thinkpad came with Win8 Pro and I got a free downgrade to Win7 Pro.

Here's the details if you are interested: http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx#fbid=OuqlQ0itw74
 
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