Changing Motherboard and CPU, but I want to keep my data!

rnunes416 · May 9, 2016

First off, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong thread, this issue kinda has a lot attached to it, and I'm not sure where it falls...Oops!

Prequel: Specs here for my machine

Recently I decided to finally upgrade my AMD FX-8320 and its motherboard to an i5-4690k with a new motherboard, (as well as a Samsung EVO 850 500 GB SSD on the way) and did not realize the mess the new motherboard would bring on with a copy of OEM Windows. I had done some prior research about exchanging motherboards and CPU's, and saw from enough lucky info that it seemed it wouldn't matter. However, I already goofed up when I got the motherboard + CPU on Friday and I threw them in and booted the machine, (I just couldn't wait for the SSD, still hasn't come in yet and I figured moving files over would be easy), and was met with a Blue Screen with an error due to Windows not being bound to the new motherboard.

I searched around and figured out I couldn't do much with my OEM copy being moved over. I borrowed a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium from a friend, and saw that it could be activated with an OEM key which I had. I popped the new disk in, and saw that Windows was unable to install without re-formatting my HDD, which I didn't want to do. My current solution was to use my internal hard drive docking bay, an external hard drive, and a laptop running Backup Utility and backup just the internal drive to the external hard drive, then update windows on the original PC and restore from my backup.

After doing all of this, I wanted to make sure it will work correctly, since it would be a hassle to lose everything now. Most of my data is just my games and not very important documents, but I'd rather save it than start from scratch in case I forgot some things on there.

TL;DR I should have came to Tom's earlier, but will my method work to get back all my data onto my rig with new motherboard and CPU?

I understand, there are some big problems and flaws here, but I just wanted to be 100% sure there wasn't anything that could be done before I had to start fresh. Thank you for understanding

Update: My SSD came in. My solution as of now was to clean install on the SSD, then migrate data back over with the old HDD plugged in. I think it should work!

Update 2: My SSD worked, but now I have a fresh version of windows and all my other stuff on my old HDD. Looks like I'll have to move everything around. Oh well

smorizio · May 9, 2016

the issue is the mb drivers are wrong for window that on the old hard drive. if you can boot into f8 safe mode and remove all the old drivers then reboot and install the intel chipset drivers you should be fine. if you cant boot into windows safe mode. if you have the old mb and cpu. put one ram stick in it and use onboard video if it has it. just connect the drive again and boot the mb ontop of a desk for a few min. boot into safe mode go into windows system..devices and remove everything there. then power down and connect the drive there. if not wait for the ssd. make a new windows 10 boot usb stick using windows media creation tool. use windows 7 key code to register it when it ask for a window key. after you get into windows and it all updated..plug in the old hard drive then move the file you need to the ext hard drive. then wipe the drive and start in fresh.

rnunes416 · May 9, 2016

smorizio :

Thank god I have kept the old stuff. I have the motherboard and CPU in the box, just CPU doesn't have a cooler since I realized my cooler only had braces for an AMD, not Intel.

So to clarify your steps.. 1. Are you saying to boot into F8 Safe Mode with the new hardware in, or old hardware? I have the Disk for drivers from the new Z97 motherboard - the only problem I predict is that when I boot now with new hardware, I get to the Windows 7 Splash Screen, but then sends me to Blue Screen with an error.

2. With the old motherboard, I think I can do that. May have to put on GPU since I don't remember if it has onboard, but would the CPU be okay without a cooler, or will I need to put on my cooler to it? Currently using the stock cooler from the i5, but I could re-glue the liquid cooler I have since it is fitted for the old AMD. Also, would this mean booting with my hard drive in and removing all devices? I thought I removed all but I will check again and remove EVERYTHING if I go this path.

3. If I wait for SSD: so I can use an OEM product key to validate Windows 10? I belive you said about "moving files (In Win10) to the Ext. hard drive, then wiping the int. hard drive and fresh install Win7 - can I bypass this since I "backed up" the internal drive via Backup Utility on my laptop to the Ext. Hard drive through USB?

So sorry for the questions, just want to make sure I am getting this all right. Thank you so much for the quick reply. I'm not too worried on time, especially with the SSD and new brackets coming for the cooler - looks like I won't be on the PC I want to be for a bit lol.

smorizio · May 9, 2016

rnunes416 :

smorizio :

Thank god I have kept the old stuff. I have the motherboard and CPU in the box, just CPU doesn't have a cooler since I realized my cooler only had braces for an AMD, not Intel.

So to clarify your steps.. 1. Are you saying to boot into F8 Safe Mode with the new hardware in, or old hardware? I have the Disk for drivers from the new Z97 motherboard - the only problem I predict is that when I boot now with new hardware, I get to the Windows 7 Splash Screen, but then sends me to Blue Screen with an error.with the new mb if you hit f8 before windows starts loading you may be able to get into safe mode and remove all of the old drivers.

2. With the old motherboard, I think I can do that. May have to put on GPU since I don't remember if it has onboard, but would the CPU be okay without a cooler, or will I need to put on my cooler to it? Currently using the stock cooler from the i5, but I could re-glue the liquid cooler I have since it is fitted for the old AMD. Also, would this mean booting with my hard drive in and removing all devices? I thought I removed all but I will check again and remove EVERYTHING if I go this path. with the old mb just drop a dab of thermal paste on the cpu chip..if it still has thermal paste..then just tape down the cooler to the top of the cpu chip if not the cpu chip will fry and burn out. just need the cooler to tuch the cpu chip and not fall off while it on the top of your desk. that if you cant get into windows with the new build.

3. If I wait for SSD: so I can use an OEM product key to validate Windows 10? I belive you said about "moving files (In Win10) to the Ext. hard drive, then wiping the int. hard drive and fresh install Win7 - can I bypass this since I "backed up" the internal drive via Backup Utility on my laptop to the Ext. Hard drive through USB?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/activation-in-windows-10

So sorry for the questions, just want to make sure I am getting this all right. Thank you so much for the quick reply. I'm not too worried on time, especially with the SSD and new brackets coming for the cooler - looks like I won't be on the PC I want to be for a bit lol.

rnunes416 · May 9, 2016

rnunes416 :

smorizio :

So I just got my SSD today, I guess that changes a bit? Can I just install windows 7 onto the SSD, and run it like normal with windows on SSD (Which I was already planning), and data on the HDD?

EDIT: I think I have it running now. I installed Windows onto my SSD, I will reconnect my HDD and hopefully everything hops back on - if not, I have my external backup I can pull from. Thank you so much to smorizio!

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Changing Motherboard and CPU, but I want to keep my data!

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