What Do I Need To Know For Replacing My Motherboard?

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stl522013

stl522013

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Mar 15, 2015
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So I am getting a new motherboard. I am mainly worried about two things. Do I need to re-apply thermal paste? If so, what if I keep the CPU and heat sink together? And I was told I need to rei stall Windows. I upgraded from 8.1 to 10 so I don't have a Windows 10 disk. Where can I get the download to put on a flash drive?
I was looking at getting this thermal paste if I need some.
http://m.newegg.com/Product/Details?itemnumber=35-608-008
 
Solution
Dark Lord of Tech
Clean installs for hardware changes.

If something major happens to the device that requires something as monumental such as a motherboard change (basically turning it into a new computer), Windows 10 will require re-activation – which will require you to purchase a license. This is what Microsoft means when it says "life of the device." Additionally, you can't transfer a license to a new device. But, if something disastrous does happen, it's usually more cost-effective to just buy a replacement device anyway and that should come pre-loaded with Windows 10. However, if you happen to buy a new device with an older OS installed, you can get the free Windows 10 upgrade as long as it falls in the free upgrade offer period...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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You'll need to remove the CPU and install it on the new motherboard, so yes, you'll have to clean and reapply the thermal paste.

OS?
Yes, you'll probably need to reinstall.
Obtain the Win 10 ISO here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Create your install media, either DVD or USB

However..with the new motherboard, it will almost certainly not activate with the new motherboard. You will probably have to call MS and plead your case.
 
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Wayfall

Wayfall

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Dec 27, 2013
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You will probably blue screen if you install a different motherboard and its the OS that will cause the blue-screen as your current motherboard (the one your replacing) is linked to your current OS or should I say your BIOS is linked to the OS.

So yes you should create a backup of the data you want to keep such as music, video and game saves as when installing an OS you should really do a clean slate install.
 
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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Aug 18, 2009
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Clean installs for hardware changes.

If something major happens to the device that requires something as monumental such as a motherboard change (basically turning it into a new computer), Windows 10 will require re-activation – which will require you to purchase a license. This is what Microsoft means when it says "life of the device." Additionally, you can't transfer a license to a new device. But, if something disastrous does happen, it's usually more cost-effective to just buy a replacement device anyway and that should come pre-loaded with Windows 10. However, if you happen to buy a new device with an older OS installed, you can get the free Windows 10 upgrade as long as it falls in the free upgrade offer period.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-windows-10-will-handle-clean-installs

Hopefully Microsoft will activate it , but that don't have to.
 
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Solution
USAFRet

USAFRet

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If the install does not activate with the new hardware (and it probably won't), Microsoft is the only entity that can fix that.
 
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DSzymborski

DSzymborski

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From this reply, I think you're misunderstanding the issue. It's not that your current product key isn't currently valid. The issue comes *after* you install your new motherboard. OEM/System Builder product keys are tied to the motherboard. Your current, valid key will not work with a new motherboard and you will either need to obtain a new key from Microsoft at that point -- which is sometimes successful, sometimes not, when it's not an obvious replacement motherboard -- or you will have to buy a new copy of Windows in order to get a new key.
 
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