Do you have to install a fresh windows 7 with a new motherboard?

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kingluke2222

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Jul 9, 2015
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I plan on going from an AMD chipset motherboard to an Intel one soon. I've heard a lot of people say you'll need to reinstall windows, but I've also heard many people say they've successfully used the same HDD and OEM copy of windows 7 by calling Microsoft and having them give them a new product key when there computer asks for it to be reactivated. Can you still do this? I would like to save my money instead of buying a new OS if I can, although I'll buy a new one if I have to.
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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you have to reinstall the os due to the new chipset..windows will lock up and blue screen. some people will try and boot into safe mode before the mb swap and go into device manager and remove all the drivers to force windows to install the newer mb drivers. some times it works some times not. on the mb swap with oem of windows all you do is call ms support and tell them the old mb failed. they give you a new key for the new install of windows.
 
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boju

boju

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Its best to fresh install Windows, the registry will be messed up between the two chip sets and other hardware differences between each motherboard, you will run into problems and performance issues.

OEM keys are tied to the motherboard it was first activated on and highly likely you will need to buy another key. If you're nice enough on the phone, can explain your motherboard died and can no longer get a replacement, the person on the phone 'may activate you'

Transferring your hdd to another motherboard will upset your last activation.

If Microsoft activates your key on another motherboard, would not use the same key obviously on the original motherboard if you said it was faulty, they will know.
 
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Kirk_2

Kirk_2

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Nov 30, 2015
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It's possible indeed, it has nothing to do with migrating between AMD and Intel since your Windows installation includes the cab files for either.
It's just isn't necessarily supported by Microsoft and might not be officially allowed by your original OEM distributor so baselining your expectations isn't exactly reliable until you try it.

The new certificate key you're mentioning occurs when performing major hardware changes like a new motherboard in your case or swapping hard drives, changing all new RAM chips and your NIC.
And the new key can be online and seamless w/o the necessity for user interaction.

If you have to make the phone call, ensure you answer the automated system or live with the rep that your copy of Windows is only being used on ONE COMPUTER, those reps are commissioned benefit from selling frustrated owners a new license by phone whether or not they misunderstood the question of how many systems are currently installed or WERE installed.

Migrating between Intel and AMD isn't a major hurdle, trying to downgrade from a 64bit to a 32bit CPU can be a crash and burn since 32bit Windows will fit inside a 64bit install after an initial boot, but 64bit Windows are less tolerant of the 32bit hardware and frequently bristle until conducting a reinstall.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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32bit vs 64bit has nothing to do with this.
Going to 64bit is ALWAYS a full installation.

From AMD to Intel may or may not work.
I've seen it both ways.
Clean install often required, always recommended.

Heck...I had two almost identical Compaq laptops, where moving the drive would not boot in the other laptop. At all.
And that is long before any activation issues.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Make sure you have good backups of your data files (docs, images, videos, etc and give it a try. If Win can configure itself, then load the latest mobo drivers, run a registry cleaner (Wise has a good free version) and it will let you know if you have to activate. With Win 7 I've found it to be about 90%+ effective in moving to the new mobo/CP)U
 
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