New Motherboard Windows 10 Transfer

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aditya7

Jul 12, 2018
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0
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Hi,

Recently my computer stopped working (doesn't even POST), and I've narrowed it down to a broken motherboard. The motherboard is an Asus z97m Plus. I'm getting a new motherboard and potentially switching from an Intel CPU to an AMD CPU. I'll also be switching from ddr3 ram to ddr4 ram. To save money I'll be transferring my old SSD (which contained windows 10) and HDD. My question is this: Is there anything I should do to make sure the upgraded PC can boot into Windows?

I'm worried I may end up having to purchase a new copy of Windows 10. To initially get the PC running should I boot from a USB stick? Also, how would I go about reactivating Windows on the new system? Since my current PC is dead, I can't go about connecting my Microsoft account to my copy of Windows. Is the best option to just buy all the new parts, try booting from the SSD, and worry about it from there? Thanks for the help!
 
Solution
USAFRet
There are two issues with this. Operation and Licensing.

Operation:
This will probably need a clean OS install (and everything else)
Going from Intel to AMD is unlikely to simply "just boot up"
There is no magic dust you can sprinkle on it to make it otherwise

Licensing:
Where did this OS come from?
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

However, since the old PC is already dead, this may be unavailable.
Go to microsoft.com, log into your MS account if you have one, and see if your old PC and the license is listed there.
If it is, that...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
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Mar 16, 2013
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There are two issues with this. Operation and Licensing.

Operation:
This will probably need a clean OS install (and everything else)
Going from Intel to AMD is unlikely to simply "just boot up"
There is no magic dust you can sprinkle on it to make it otherwise

Licensing:
Where did this OS come from?
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

However, since the old PC is already dead, this may be unavailable.
Go to microsoft.com, log into your MS account if you have one, and see if your old PC and the license is listed there.
If it is, that license may be transferable to the new hardware.
 
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Solution
A

aditya7

Jul 12, 2018
2
0
10


Ah, okay thanks for the advice. I'm going from an i5 4690k to a Ryzen 5 2600; however, if it's more difficult switching from Intel to AMD, I could also get the i5 8400 (with compatible mobo) instead.

Also, it looks like my account and the license are already linked. So, with this in mind, and assuming I get the AMD CPU, would the best option be to do a clean OS install and reactivate my account via my Microsoft account? I'm not sure if old drivers would cause any problems.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,445
17,909
184,590


Yes.
Clean install on the new hardware, either AMD or Intel, it the best way forward.

Create your own Win 10 USB or DVD here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Clean install here:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10
 
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