Reinstalling OS after a fitting new motherboard/cpu

frank

frank

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I'm about to upgrade my ageing pc which is almost 7 yrs old with new mainboard (not sure which yet), looking at AMD A10 6800 cpu, also 8 gb ram for now. Main uses Lightroom 4, Elements 9, MS Office, streaming video/movies to tv, email and some surfing the net so I reckon (I think) this cpu is more than ample for my needs.

I intend keeping my two internal drives 1 tb hd and a 250 gb both of them sata 1 or whatever first sata version was called and cd/dvd write on 18 months old. OS is 64 bit Windows 7 upgraded via upgrade disk from 64 bit Windows Vista (OEM)

My question is, installing new mainboard/cpu will I need to reinstall the Vista Home Edition (I have the OEM cd/dvd) then use the win 7 upgrade disk again. Will there be any problems regarding re-activating the OS?

Can I use the OEM disk on the new mainboard since I am still the original purchaser?

Thanks
 
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Unlike earlier versions of Windows, you can't do a clean install on 7 and insert your old version setup disk to prove you have the old version.
A quick bit of googling found:
http://m.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-128512

Theoretically, your old OEM disk isn't valid for new hardware. MS did allow a certain amount to be changed, but your upgrade is most of the machine. Not sure that I'd worry too much, but worst case is you need to stump up for the full version.
 
Agree with above MS only allow a certain amount of changes to a computer,after that you may fine you need to buy window 7 again.

When you say your upgrading your motherboard,will you be buying a new CPU or using the old one ?

:)
 
I'll be putting a new cpu in as well, another 75 quid on a retail version of win 7 is a pain the bahookey. Wish I had bought that instead of the upgrade version, a lesson learned. I'm not sure if I fancy just biting the bullet and going with Win 8 for the new setup or remain with Win 7. decisions decisions.
 
I would bung on your win7 and try and activate it, might involve a wee phone call, before you buy another DVD.
 
Whatever the official line is on OEM Windows, I'd be surprised if there was a problem. Whilst upgrading the works, though, give a thought to whether the existing PSU is meaty enough ...
 
Good call Rog, currently using a 450 watt psu, newer cpu and ram might need the extra juice.
 
As above, you may need to run through the automated phone process but should be fine reusing the oem. They don't seem to mind.

I think ms just prefer that you have a legal copy in use rather than a hooky copy.
 
You should be fine just plugging the disk in on the new build (later versions of windows are designed to auto-fix) - assuming you haven't changed the disk mode (ACHI vs IDE). You may need to reactivate Win 7, but that's fairly automated these dasy. As Neil says, better legit than hooky as far as MS are concerned...
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, I've now got a note of the parts I want, I might try the phone call as it is for home use.
 
Ordered Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 Socket FM2+ motherboard, AMD APU A10 6800K Black Edition 4.4GHz Socket FM2 4MB, Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x 4GB) 2133MHz DDR3 to bring my computer up to date on a budget, I hopefully should see a difference from my old E6420 cpu and 4 gig ram.
Aa SSD would have been nice too but it will need to wait until I' have saved up again. £233 quid, a good saving on buying a new system from a store. I'm hoping the above can get by with the current 400w PSU which is very quiet. Now I have to sweet talk the wife :rolleyes:
 
Should be okay as long as it's a good branded one (assuming low end gpu and 1 or 2 drives), I ran my i7 on a 400w iirc before I replaced the gpu with a beefier one.
 
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Corsair 400w psu if I remember correct for not that old either. its a APU processor with gpu built in, Radeon HD 8670D I think. Should be more than enough for me as I'm not into many games.
 
neil_g said:
As above, you may need to run through the automated phone process but should be fine reusing the oem. They don't seem to mind.

I think ms just prefer that you have a legal copy in use rather than a hooky copy.
Click to expand...

I've never used this service before, will I need to do the same for both, old vista then Win 7 upgrade disk if doing a complete reformat?

Anyone tell me where can I find the phone number to call if I have to?
 
frank said:
I've never used this service before, will I need to do the same for both, old vista then Win 7 upgrade disk if doing a complete reformat?

Anyone tell me where can I find the phone number to call if I have to?
Click to expand...
itll tell you when you go to activate that you need to call and will give you a number.
 
Just a update, reactivated Win 7 without any hassles or questions...phew! MS must be easing off on this antiquated rule. I must change this fan/heatsink that came with the cpu, its horribly noisy and from what I've read it would be dodgy to overclock with it.
 
frank said:
Just a update, reactivated Win 7 without any hassles or questions...phew! MS must be easing off on this antiquated rule. I must change this fan/heatsink that came with the cpu, its horribly noisy and from what I've read it would be dodgy to overclock with it.
Click to expand...

You might still need to contact MS. Reinstalling an OS is not the issue; it's when the MS software checks it's 'legal' that it can flag the need to contact the support centre, at which point all you'll have to say is that the mobo failed and this one was the direct replacement for an out-dated and unavailable original.
 
JohnX said:
You might still need to contact MS. Reinstalling an OS is not the issue; it's when the MS software checks it's 'legal' that it can flag the need to contact the support centre, at which point all you'll have to say is that the mobo failed and this one was the direct replacement for an out-dated and unavailable original.
Click to expand...

The key word you missed from Frank's reply was "reactivated".
 
frank said:
Just a update, reactivated Win 7 without any hassles or questions...phew! MS must be easing off on this antiquated rule. I must change this fan/heatsink that came with the cpu, its horribly noisy and from what I've read it would be dodgy to overclock with it.
Click to expand...

It's not easing exactly, there are thresholds in the activation system, so "x" amount of reactivations allowed which are triggered upon certain events, once you hit that number you wont be diverted to the automated system, you'll then need to speak to MS directly. But for average Joe, this is highly unlikely to happen :)
 
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