Replacing Mobo and CPU Question

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

I am going to upgrade my Athlon X4 760k and my MSI FM2 motherboard to an Intel i5 4690 and a H97 MSI motherboard. My questions are:

- What should I do on my computer before I replace the motherboard like uninstall drivers or...?

- I am also going to upgrade from Windows 7 64 to Windows 8.1, when I replace my motherboard will my computer start fresh and I have to install my Windows 8.1 immediately?
I guess my question is how should I go about reinstalling Windows when I replace my Mobo?

Suztera · Dec 27, 2015

If you doing a clean install of windows 8.1, you don't really need to do anything with your old stuff unless you need it. If some files are need, you should make a backup externally.
During the windows 8.1 installation, you have the option to delete any old partitions that containing the old OS.

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

You wont need to do anything before the upgrade other than save/backup any data that you don't want to lose and make sure you have all your installation media and license keys.

As for Windows, you will need to reinstall using you Windows disc or flash drive (if you have the installation software on one). After the upgrade, go into the BIOS (usually by pressing Delete or F2) and boot from the install media. Go through the installation process, use the disc that comes with the new motherboard to install drivers. Update Windows and drivers as much as possible and then reinstall your programs.

At this point, unless you already own Windows 8.1, I would suggest installing Windows 7 again, then once fully updated, upgrade for free to Windows 10. in my opinion, Windows 10 is leaps and bounds superior to Windows 8.1.

This is all assuming you have a copy of Windows that is transferable from one machine to another, i.e. retail box.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

What do you mean by "installing Windows again." Does that mean buying a fresh copy of it? I bought the OEM version of Windows 7 so I thought it was installed into my old motherboard.

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

smeeR1653 :

Since it's a copy of Windows that wasn't installed by an OEM (i.e.HP, Dell), you can probably use it again after upgrading. however, you might need to use Microsoft's automated phone activation. As long as it is only on 1 machine at any given time, you shouldn't need to buy another copy.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

However I thought the Windoes 7 was installed INTO my old motherboard?

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

smeeR1653 :

Depends on the version. Windows 7 installed by an OEM (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) is tied to the motherboard, like Windows 10 (all kinds) is. It's tied to the BIOS and does a check to ensure it hasn't been moved to another machine. It's because MS charges a lot less to companies that are buying Windows licenses by the thousands.
However, buying the OEM or retail disc, gives you options. As long as you are using it on only 1 machine at any given time, you should be able to move it. If you have trouble activating it, you can call MS automated activation line, which only takes a few minutes. I have done this several times.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

Oh sweet thanks man

so before I swap out my components, I need to backup my data in my HD. How would I go about doing this? Sorry for sounding so stupid but I just want to be safe because of how much I invested into my computer

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

smeeR1653 :

No worries, you have several options, depending on your hardware. If you have a DVD burner, you could make DVDs of the files you want to keep. Or if you have a USB thumbdrive, you could save them there. The files that most commonly get backup are things like pictures, documents, projects, music, videos... Things like programs and games will have to be reinstalled so nothing to backup there.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

Ohhhh I see, so basically when I install a new motherboard I would have to wipe my entire drive? Cause I don't have any photos or files that are important. I don't mind reinstalling my games either

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

So I don't think a backup is necessary and also, would I or should I uninstall my drivers or anything

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

And also, haha sorry for so many questions again, if I decided to upgrade to a Z97 and a i5 4690k instead of the H97 and 4690, would it be the same process too

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

No need to uninstall anything as you will be wiping the drive and doing a fresh install.

Since you have no files you don't care about losing, no backups are necessary.

The process is the same regardless of the make/model of the new motherboard, it is always best to do a fresh install of Windows (when changing motherboards) to avoid problems.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

"...as you will be wiping the drives..." Do you mean it will automatically wipe the HD when you swap mobos? Or would I do that manually. And by fresh install of Windows you mean when I have to go through the setup of Windows and calling the automated thing right?

Martell1977 · Dec 27, 2015

smeeR1653 :

Windows installation process will probably wipe the drive automatically. Sometimes it saves a copy of the old version of Windows in a folder called "Windows.old" that you can delete from the "C:" drive once in Windows.

By fresh install, that means you start from booting from your disc and go through the installation process. Windows will be in a "fresh" state as nothing is installed in it yet, not even drivers. As for the automated activation, this is only if you have trouble activating Windows once you get your internet working (installing the lan driver) and the regular activation has failed. If successful, there is no need to do anything further.

To activate after getting your internet up and running, open the start menu, right-click on "Computer", select properties and at the bottom of the windows should be a link to activate.

smeeR1653 · Dec 27, 2015

Martell1977 :

smeeR1653 :

Windows installation process will probably wipe the drive automatically. Sometimes it saves a copy of the old version of Windows in a folder called "Windows.old" that you can delete from the "C:" drive once in Windows.

By fresh install, that means you start from booting from your disc and go through the installation process. Windows will be in a "fresh" state as nothing is installed in it yet, not even drivers. As for the automated activation, this is only if you have trouble activating Windows once you get your internet working (installing the lan driver) and the regular activation has failed. If successful, there is no need to do anything further.

To activate after getting your internet up and running, open the start menu, right-click on "Computer", select properties and at the bottom of the windows should be a link to activate.

If it's not too much to ask, even though you have helped me out A LOT. Do you mind sending me a list of procedure to complete cause I am a very OCD person and I feel like I will miss something when I do this. If you can't, no worries but thanks a bunch!

smeeR1653 · Dec 28, 2015

And also, how do I uninstall Windows 7 on my current PC so I can install it into my upgraded computer?

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