Salvaging old software from new mobo

oneloosecrank · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:16

Hi guys, I've posted this question in my hardware thread but not had any responses yet, so I thought I'd try my luck here.
I have just bought (on OC recommendation) new mobo, CPU and ram. I'm hoping not to loose everything that is currently installed as much of software is downloaded, and extremely large (Steam games, and Inventor Pro for instance). However, since downloading these things, I've moved to a no-broadband area and actually access the interweb over a 3G modem. The data allowance for which is 10GB. So, I basically want to download as little as possible.
If I rebuild the system with the new components, will it fire up, install drivers, and continue to work? Or will I have to re-install Win7, potentially losing all my software? I've so far been unable to locate the install files for the programs, so I wouldn't be able to just save them and run installs again.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Ceryndrion · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:26

You'll probably find that windows will get very upset due to hardware changes, but you should be able to reactivate it, and after a few reboots, it will be alright.. though of course, a full reinstall would be better.

Storm3y · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:34

Should boot up fine.

kefan77 · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:37

if you have new MB, you will pretty much have to reinstall windows.

the rest of the data, you can clone.

QlimaxUK · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:39

Just try it and see really

andy_mk3 · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:41

I put the old SSD from my PC (spec in sig) into an AMD netbook, it booted right up no issues. I was gobsmacked

Philtor · 30 Nov 2013 at 15:52

I would suggest uninstalling the Chipset drivers from within device manager first, then shut down and install the new hardware.

oneloosecrank · 30 Nov 2013 at 22:54

Well, I'm typing to you from a system with new mobo, CPU and ram. No real issues, except from the CPU fan seems to be running at 100% constantly. I'll investigate why that is. GTAIV ran beautifully, two cores ran pretty high, a third about half and the fourth not at all. I was quite surprised at how much better it ran actually!
Now then, to hush the noisy bugger up some...