Upgraded motherboard, CPU, and RAM - getting BSOD upon booting

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Slijhourd

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Dec 29, 2016
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Hi, I've been a reader here for a while to help solve the same issues others have had and I guess it was finally time to make an account because I've read around 10-15 threads on this topic...and need a little bit of extra help specific to my situation. Also, I'm sorry if this isn't the right forum section. I tried to guess the most relevant section, feel free to move it mods.

Anyways, I upgraded my PC (i5-6600k, more ram up from 8gb to 16gb - might go up to 32gb though/also ddr4 instead of ddr3 - and the motherboard is a MSI z170a M5). I forgot about the compatibility issues when it comes to a brand new installation and Windows. Right now when I boot it, it goes past the BIOS open option, then the spinning windows icon, and then I get a blue screen and it restarts. I've tried multiple suggestions from previous threads and it looks like I need to re-install Windows...but this is where I am running into problems.

- I had Windows 7 Ultimate installed by a friend when I originally built this computer 4-5ish years ago. So I do not have a code or anything.

- I don't want to lose any data at all. Is it possible to install Windows twice somehow and then save everything from the other partition somehow or move it to the newer Windows installation?

- Right now I can't boot into safe mode and the closest I've been able to do is get to the command prompt.

Any help would be appreciated, I've appreciated it quietly as a lurker over the years and hope you all can help more more than now than ever. :)
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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May 29, 2013
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With a new motherboard you need to do a clean install of Windows. You need to PURCHASE a legal copy and install it. If you are concerned about your existing data, then purchase a new disk and do the install onto it, with your existing disk non connected. If you don't have an SSD for your OS this is the perfect time to upgrade that.
 
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Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

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Dec 22, 2014
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+1 on what kanewolf said.

You're not getting around formatting the drive and re-installing windows (a new copy of Windows 10 that you have purchased). So if you need stuff off of it I suggest connecting it to another computer and backing up the data you need.
 
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Slijhourd

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Dec 29, 2016
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Hi, thanks for your reply. I do not have an SSD and have kind of held back from buying one over the years due to the price to be honest. So what you're suggesting is that I purchase an SSD and then install Windows 10 on it, then move all of my files from my regular hard drive over to it? Then wipe the old hard drive and move everything back? What size SSD would you suggest?

Also...does Windows still do student discounts with a .edu email address? This project already killed my bank account and buying Windows 10 at full price with an SSD is going to make me go broke at this point lol. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your response.
 
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Slijhourd

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Dec 29, 2016
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I don't really have another computer with the SATA port to just plug my HDD into in order to back it up. Also, can you read my response to kanewolf and see if you have any ideas for what I should do based off of his reply? Thanks for the help btw.
 
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Rogue Leader

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Dec 22, 2014
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You can get away with 120gb but generally 240 is your best bet these days (so you have room for some software that you want to load fast).

As for educational versions yes thats still out there but you usually need to show school ID.

https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/edu?WT.mc_id=ENUSEDUSTORE_Windows

 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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You don't have to move the files, you can use your existing drive as a data drive. You will have to re-install most applications with a fresh OS install. Some games can be re-used without redownload.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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If you care only about the data, you are ok.
Now is a good time to convert to a ssd with a clean install.
Leave your hard drive disconnected, and your data will still be there when you reconnect.
You can export your settings using windows easy transfer and import them back later.

In order to preserve your installed apps, try very hard to get windows to boot.


Likely, your windows does not have the necessary motherboard drivers installed to allow you to boot.
Google may find some procedures to prep your windows for a boot with a new motherboard.
Here is one I found:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/making-sure-windows-7-will-boot-after-changing-the-motherboard/
If you can boot, then you can install the new motherboard drivers.

You should also first make note of your current activation key.
A free app called "magical jellybean keyfinder" will find it for you.

Then, may come an activation issue.
If your windows is retail or upgrade, there is no issue in changing motherboards.
If it is oem you may need to do a phone activation, ms is liberal on allowing you to do so.

If your windows is not legitimate, you will have an option to purchase a legitimate copy.
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

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Don't move all your files over from the HDD to the new SDD (nobody here has suggested you do that) or you'll swallow up all the free space on the SSD in no time.

Just install what you really need on the SSD (obviously the OS & drivers for starters).
All your data & third-party apps you should save or install on the HDD where that's possible.

A third drive will be required to keep backups of essential data on (if you think that's over the top, let me tell you that you won't think that when your existing HDD fails and you've no data backups).

 
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Slijhourd

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Dec 29, 2016
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Do you (or any one else) have any suggestions for a broke college student who just used almost all of his money on this upgrade and need an SSD now? Like specific brands/models I can look at? Low price, decent size, and won't fail after like a month haha.

And I just went to that link and put in my school and it brought the price down a whopping 12 dollars to $107.99... :\

EDIT: Sorry about the discussion of using pirated software - removed.
 
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Rogue Leader

Rogue Leader

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Dec 22, 2014
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Using torrented Windows is not only against the rules, it is a REALLY bad idea. You're asking for viruses and other problems by torrenting something like that.

Here is another option for you.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Thats the Windows Media creation tool, you can create a bootable USB to install Windows 10. Then when it asks you to activate just skip it.

There are certain features that are limited (like the ability to choose a background) and its going to nag the crap out of you, however it should work until you can afford to purchase a license key.
 
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Slijhourd

Commendable
Dec 29, 2016
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1,510


I apologize and have removed it from my post, I'm new to posting here and unfortunately am not too familiar with every rule just yet. It sucks that many members may have seen this and moved on because of that one part of my post, but the amount of help I'm getting regardless is really awesome still. So thanks again everyone. :)
 
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S

Slijhourd

Commendable
Dec 29, 2016
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1,510


Hey, that might work for now! Thank you for this.

For an SSD, do you have any suggestions that would suit my needs in this situation? I'm doing some research, but if you have one that you think might be good for me - definitely let me know please!
 
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Slijhourd

Commendable
Dec 29, 2016
12
0
1,510
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