Do i have to reinstall win 8.1 with new cpu/mobo change?

beasty6

beasty6

beasty6

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Hey guys,

Im reciving my new cpu and mobo today, when i install these, can i just connect my SSD and HDD without reinstalling things? More importantly windows?

Thanks
 
Windows 8.1 is very good at managing hardware changes. The only thing you'd need to watch out for would be changing the hard drive controller to AHCI when connecting your SSD.
 
Ok, ill check what controller my amd rog board is currently doing, my new board is also a asus so im hoping it should be plug in and be fine, should anything be changed straight away in bios before loading up the drives other than boot drive etc
 
I did a full reinstall when I went from AMD CPU to Intel CPU.

Had to call the Msoft activation line, had a new key within 10 mins.
 
JOSH86 said:
I did a full reinstall when I went from AMD CPU to Intel CPU.

Had to call the Msoft activation line, had a new key within 10 mins.
Click to expand...

Good point actually - if you're changing from AMD > Intel you'll need a fresh install. If you're changing Intel platforms (z77 > z97) you should be OK but be prepared to re-install as a last resort.
 
Isn't the OS tied to the mobo?

Mine was as it was an OEM key, might be different for non-OEM.
 
retail you can change between PC's a much as you want as long as its activated on 1 PC only.

OEMs are tied to the mobo of the device you install it on to.
 
Ill give it a go first, i think my key is a OEM... so do i just ring microsoft and tell them ive got a new motherboard and need a new key?
 
beasty6 said:
Ill give it a go first, i think my key is a OEM... so do i just ring microsoft and tell them ive got a new motherboard and need a new key?
Click to expand...

Its all kinda automatic (windows install will prompt you to phone for activation key) when you call up they will issue you with a key when you are prompted by the installer to enter the key, put in the one they give you over the phone. Then follow the prompts on screen. Its been a while since I last did it but I've carried over the same copy of Win7 to multiple new builds.
 
colinmcr said:
Its all kinda automatic (windows install will prompt you to phone for activation key) when you call up they will issue you with a key when you are prompted by the installer to enter the key, put in the one they give you over the phone. Then follow the prompts on screen. Its been a while since I last did it but I've carried over the same copy of Win7 to multiple new builds.
Click to expand...

What I meant to say is that they now can send you an SMS with a website link and you can get a new code via that, better than robo woman reading it to you over the phone.
 
You could try using a driver removal tool (driver sweeper?) to remove the old motherboard drivers and then see if it copes with installing the new ones.
 
No you should NOT reinstall win 8.1 with new CPU or new motherboard regardless if you switch from AMD to Intel!!!

From my experience Windows 8.1 was not the same as Windows 7 did when changed to different motherboard. Years ago when I had Windows 7 and I changed AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ CPU and old motherboard to Phenom II X4 940 and new motherboard. When everything connected and booted PC, it BSOD at Windows 7 bootscreen logo then I entered BIOS to changed from SATA to IDE as people from forum advised but it still BSOD so reinstalled Windows 7 was the only solution.

Fast forwarded to 2012 received new Intel 3770K CPU and ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard, I created bootable Windows 8 USB stick to reinstalled Windows 8 first thing before prepared to changed Phenom II X4 940 and ASUS motherboard to new hardware. After everything connected, configured UEFI and PC booted to see if it BSOD but it was not. I was completely surprised it detected new hardware and configured automatically getting devices ready on Windows 8 bootscreen, when it reached 100% then it went to lockscreen straight away and I logged in to checked Device Manager and everything in order and went smoothly. I booted into Safe Mode to double checked Device Manager and surprised to see none of old hardware been left behind as it was deleted automatically after first detected new hardware at bootup.

It went fine without issues 3 years on never reinstalled Windows ever since.

I absolutely LOVED Windows 8 and 8.1. :cool:

Don't wasted your time created bootable Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 USB, you really don't needed to reinstall Windows!
 
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