New motherboard and CPU, would I need to reinstall?

Freddie589 · 26 Aug 2011 at 16:25

If I replace my i5 750 and P7P55D-E with a new SB mobo and CPU will i be able to boot from my current HDD? The reason im asking is becouse I have a OEM version of windows that can only be used on one pc?

Also would it be worth the upgrade it will be:

P7P55D-E to Z68 1155 socket board

i5 750 3.8ghz to i5 2500k overclocked

I will be using the same RAM etc... and will also be watercooling

Thanks
Freddie

Ginger-Menace · 26 Aug 2011 at 16:28

yes, always do a fresh install with new mobo and cpu. you might be able to boot from your hdd but more than likely things wont work smoothly

Freddie589 · 26 Aug 2011 at 16:30

Ginger-Menace said:
yes, always do a fresh install with new mobo and cpu. you might be able to boot from your hdd but more than likely things wont work smoothly

Hm....ok not sure how I would transfer windows?

Jordan97 · 26 Aug 2011 at 16:39

If it is an OEM version, then you cannot change the motherboard. Once they are installed, they are tied to one board.

Surveyor · 26 Aug 2011 at 18:32

That's what microsoft say but I've never had a problem using the same copy of OEM Windows again when I've upgraded.

Sometimes you can't activate Windows over the Internet and have to use the "phone Microsoft" option but it's always worked.

BTW the "phone Microsoft" option is just an automated process.

ArranJ · 26 Aug 2011 at 18:54

Yeah, just install and contact Microsoft for activation, should be easy enough.

Freddie589 · 26 Aug 2011 at 19:20

ArranJ said:
Yeah, just install and contact Microsoft for activation, should be easy enough.

Thats the thing, how can I "install" when the copy has already been used on a diffrent machine, even if i do switch hardware and boot from old HDD there may not be a chance that I will get into windows?

ArranJ · 26 Aug 2011 at 19:22

Do you not have a disc? Or was it an OEM product pre-installed on a package PC that you bought?

If you change hardware and use the old disc you will be able to boot into windows, as they said above it just won't be a smooth ride at all.

Freddie589 · 26 Aug 2011 at 19:34

ArranJ said:
Do you not have a disc?

I do

Or was it an OEM product pre-installed on a package PC that you bought?

Nope

If you change hardware and use the old disc you will be able to boot into windows, as they said above it just won't be a smooth ride at all.

So are you suggesting I reinstall from disc then contact ms activation?

Surveyor · 26 Aug 2011 at 19:47

Reinstall from the disc.

Try to activate over the Internet.

If that doesn't work use the phone Microsoft option.

Obviously you can't use the same licence key on 2 PC's so if you activate it for the new motherboard it couldn't be used with the old motherboard.