Should I re-install Win7

Richy888

Richy888

Richy888

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I'm about to change the motherboard, cpu, memory and graphics card and was wondering if I should simply boot from the old installation of Windows 7 64bit or start afresh? The current installed copy of 7 is running fine BTW.

In the past, when I upgraded components like this I would re-install the operating system but having a search around many think it's fine just to boot from the old copy of Win7 and let it sort itself out to load required drivers? This appeals to me as a fresh install of 7 is a bit of a pain. The graphics card I'm upgrading from a HD4870 to a HD7950 so shouldn't be a clash of drivers there possibly? Motherboard was an Asus P5Q Deluxe and new one is an Asus P8Z77-V with upgrade from a Q6600 to i5-3570K.

What do peeps here do? Any help and advice appreciated. Do I just boot into windows and load new drivers for the mobo and graphics card?

Thanks....
 
I did the same with Win8 and it was fine. I had to install the USB3 controller driver, but that was it. You'll have to reactivate it of course, but that should only take a minute on the phone.
 
Should just do a fresh format then install your mobo using the disc provided and then you'll have your ethernet etc working and you can just download drivers for your GPU.
 
Ah, i thought this was a downgrade from windows 8 thread!

Id keep the install tbh, if its already working, you'll have you re-enter the serial, but my win7key has registered online on 3 different machines now! hope you have the same luck.
 
No, not downgrading from Windows 8 .... yet! I'm tempted to grab an upgrade copy before MS close the offer at the end of the month (£24.99 until the 31st Jan.) I'll upgrade the hardware before introducing Windows 8 into the mix :eek:

In the past I've always gone with a fresh install This was generally XP Pro though. A lot say boot from the old install of Windows 7 as it's sharp enough to sort itself out - which kind of answered my question! Actually, reinstalling the OS is the easy bit, it's the programs and everything else that is to put back on and set up that fills me with dread :rolleyes: Shouldn't be a problem reactivating Win 7 as it wasn't an OEM copy - even then is that a prob these days?

Cheers
 
I would suggest Fresh install because it would solve any issues with compatibility you can always back up first do the changeover then see how it runs then your covered either way if its only small changes there should be no real issue but different parts different situations.
 
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