Upgrading motherboard - HP Pavilion 500-023w

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snowyblizzard

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So, I'm planning on replacing my motherboard eventually.

I hear that installing a new motherboard in an HP PC will leave you without the OS that came with the PC, but I upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 10, so I'm assuming that I'd be able to keep Windows 10?

Also, which motherboard is better?:

GIGABYTE GA-H97M-HD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128731

or

Asrock H97M Anniversary
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157547&cm_re=asrock_h97m-_-13-157-547-_-Product

(I don't care about the extra RAM slots in the Anniversary - I'll never use them)

Thanks in advance!
 
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Rogue Leader

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First things first, if you replace your motherboard you are going to need a new copy of Windows 10. No way around it, period.

Second, just personal opinion I don't love Gigabyte I would get the ASRock. Been burned by Gigabyte too many times.

Third, If you replace the motherboard and plan on anything else I would highly recommend getting a better power supply as your next purchase.
 
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Rogue Leader

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They will not do that for him. Its an OEM copy and he upgraded to Windows 10 already. Its tied to the motherboard.

Good call on the motherboard though, unless he plans a processor upgrade this is a waste of time
 
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R4lNM4N

R4lNM4N

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Thanks...I agree it wouldn't be worth upgrading an entire case from HP of all things but - Couldn't he...

1) Refresh back to Windows 8
2) Get Microsoft to activate his Windows 8 key on the new system
3) Install the "fresh" Windows 8
4) Then upgrade to 10...?
:??:


 
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Rogue Leader

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No, his license is an OEM license that came with a PC. When you buy a PC or you buy one of the cheaper OEM copies of Windows it ties itself to the hardware. If he had a boxed retail copy than it would just work, or if its locked up for some reason they would unlock it for him (had this happen to my copy of Office one time). Otherwise, nope gotta buy a new one.
 
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snowyblizzard

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Ok, I guess I didn't put enough info. If I get a new motherboard, I'm getting a new CPU along with it (that's the reason for the replacement). Also, I replaced the power supply with a 630w a few months ago (to accommodate a gtx 960 gpu). Sorry about that! Thanks for the info; I'll have to take all this in. :) To be honest, it sounds like more trouble than I feel like getting into right now.
 
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snowyblizzard

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Ok, so I found out that my university will give me a download of Windows 10 for free. But I guess there would be no way of using that after replacing the mobo. Don't think it would give me the option of burning to a disc.

Edit - But would that count as a non-OEM version of windows 10? If I installed the student version of windows 10 now, would that no longer be "tied" to the motherboard?
 
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Rogue Leader

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I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if that restriction was in place. Theory being you probably won't be a student any longer when you need to rebuild/replace the PC.
 
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snowyblizzard

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Good point. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try the Windows 10 Student, but then again I won't have any way of knowing for sure whether or not it's tied to the mobo until I actually try installing the new motherboard.

Edit - If I install the new mobo with my current OEM Windows 10, will it work for a little while such that I can install the free student version? Or will the PC be rendered inoperable as soon as the new mobo is in?
Edit 2: After reading around, I guess you get a grace period for a couple days (the thread I read was about windows 7, but I assume that it still applies for 10), which means I would have no problem installing the new mobo and then getting my student version before this grace period ends.
 
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Rogue Leader

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Heres the problem, you can't just swap out a motherboard and processor, plug in the hard drive with Windows 10 installed and expect it to work. Most likely it will not, in fact its extremely likely it will not work.

You need to back up your data, swap out the board, format the hard drive and install windows. Maybe see if your school can provide you with an actual license, or a disc or USB key with it with a license. If they can at least give you a license key you can download the install media and then enter the key during installation.
 
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snowyblizzard

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Fair enough. Thanks for the info

Edit: Well, it would probably be easier if I just treat this is a new build, if/when I replace the mobo. Back up hd, install mobo/cpu, reinstall windows with disc, put the backed up image back on hd.

My second reason to get a new mobo, besides wanting a better CPU, was wanting SATA 3 for an SSD - I'm thinking now I'll get the SSD first and deal with the somewhat lower performance of SATA 2 until I upgrade the mobo.
 
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