Replacing the Motherboard: My files!

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Con6612

Con6612

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Aug 7, 2016
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Tl;dr: How do I keep my files when installing a new mobo?

When replacing a motherboard, the drivers won't match, and the easiest way is to reformat (I think). Should I throw all my files to a separate hard drive before installing it? Then when it's installed, and I turn on my PC, have to go through the rigmarole of reinstalling Windows 7 (Which I'll have to buy again? I have the product key but no disc) and then put all the files where I want them? I have 500GB of games, and it'd be a royal pain the backside to install them all again. Is it worth it?
Currently, I use one drive for Windows which fills the drive nearly and another Hard Drive for my files.

P.S.: I have 2 Drives, if this helps at all (one SSD of 100GB, and one HDD of 1TB).
 
Solution
Tradesman1
IS the OS on the SSD? If so, copy all data files to a directory on the 1TB, might even copy the entire SSD to the 1TB, then simply change the mobo, install only the SSD initially and see if it boots up OK. Win is pretty good at adjusting itself to a new mobo, then can download and install the latest mobo drivers for the new mobo, reactivte Win and should be ready to go with the SSD, then can install the 1TB, clean up the copied files and you're done ;)
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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IS the OS on the SSD? If so, copy all data files to a directory on the 1TB, might even copy the entire SSD to the 1TB, then simply change the mobo, install only the SSD initially and see if it boots up OK. Win is pretty good at adjusting itself to a new mobo, then can download and install the latest mobo drivers for the new mobo, reactivte Win and should be ready to go with the SSD, then can install the 1TB, clean up the copied files and you're done ;)
 
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Solution
Con6612

Con6612

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Thanks! So do I have to buy a new disc for Win7 and then install that and type in the old code, or will it just work fine? I am jumping sockets and CPU from a 1366 i7 930 to a 1151 i5 6600.
 
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Con6612

Con6612

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Okay, thanks. I only got this PC January, and I'm just learning all this stuff before I change my hardware for the first time.
 
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molletts

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As you have the product key, you should be able to download an ISO for Win7 from Microsoft's website here.

Then you can do a clean install either now or in the future.
 
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molletts

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Hmph. Typical Microsoft. "You've given us a valid key but we're not going to let you have the software."

Did the PC come with a utility for creating restore media? I know Dell and Lenovo do this.

This article links to the Windows and Office ISO Download Tool which may help. It appears to be "above-board" but I'll have to leave that for you to judge for yourself. How-To Geek is usually reliable in my experience and, having tested the tool on a VM, the ISO it downloaded is a byte-for-byte match with the one I got directly from Microsoft.

Failing that, there is at least one mirror of Microsoft's old ISO fulfillment site on DigitalRiver still out there...
 
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Flying-Q

Flying-Q

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An alternative is to be brave and uninstall the motherboard drivers then shut down windows. Rebuild the machine and then boot straight to safe mode. Install the motherboard drivers for the new board. Reboot. Reactivate Windows. Done. If you miss the safe mode on first boot on new board you will have a mess which is a royal pain to undo. This will no doubt get down votes but it works and leaves all your goodies and games intact. I've never tried it on Windows 8 or 10 but it has worked on all previous versions.
 
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Con6612

Con6612

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I installed it off some other Microsoft gimmick utility, and now because I don't have a Win10 key I don't have an activated Win10, but it works, apart from being blocked from changing themes and there's a watermark in the bottom right. It backed up Win7 and I can revert if I wanted to, but I'm still scouring for some good free product keys. if not, I'll just buy a win10 home/pro key for dirt off a sketchy site.
 
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