Upgrading CPU/mobo/ram, will I need a new Windows 7?

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 15:51

Hi there,

I'm looking to upgrade my CPU/motherboard/ram soon and I've been told that I'll most likely have to reinstall Windows 7 completely when I replace them? is there a way around this?

My computer came with Windows 7 so I don't have anything apart from a recovery disk which I created today.

What would I need to reinstall Windows 7 when I upgrade my CPU/motherboard/ram?

Can I use the recovery disk to repair Windows 7, will that save me from reinstalling the entire OS?

Or is there something I don't know!

I fear that there is a chance I'll have to purchase a full version of Windows 7 which will cost over £120.

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 15:56

you weill need to buy a new windows 7. your current one will be tied to your old motherboard and will not work, OEM versions only work with the motherboard they are first installed on, retail versions can be used on as many as you like aslong as it is de-registered from the old one. retail copys are more expensive than OEM ones but if you only using it with the new build then go OEM
hope this helps

GM

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 16:11

Ah right.

What if I was able to get the ISO image of Windows 7 and burn it to a DVD and get an activation code, would that work when reinstalling?

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 16:14

it should do, you can download it from microsoft and they will send you a new code, but i think its cheaper to buy an OEM, plus you have to download it which could take a while

4T5 · 12 Jan 2011 at 16:23

You'll have to re instal W7 mate which is crap i know but in the long run you'll thank us for it.
I changed my Mobo & CPU tuther week & didn't, All is well for a while but then issues show up more & more frequent until it Borks itself. I had to roll all the way back to Vista & then use my upgrade pack i bought a while back.
In your case it will detect the hardware change & try to register itself, Once it does that you'll get a message every ten minutes & your back ground will go Black as the Ace of Spades.

The Silver lining is that Windows 7 is worth it's money.

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:13

Alright, so I've managed to get this:

I burned the ISO image to a blank DVD, I then put the disk in this computer:

Does that seem like it would work when I change the CPU/motherboard/memory?

From what I've read all I do is:

1. Install the CPU/motherboard/RAM
2. Turn the computer on and go into the BIOS
3. Boot the DVD drive and the ISO image from the DVD I created should load
4. Install Windows 7 then when it asks for an activation key I can enter the one I have

Is that right or am I missing something?

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:15

seems to have worked, where did you get the ISO from? and you wont be able to use you current code, you will ned to buy one from microsoft

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:16

if you have created an iso from you current o/s then it mite not work because it mite have some bloatware from you old computer

Montala · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:23

Rossuk89 said:
From what I've read all I do is:

1. Install the CPU/motherboard/RAM
2. Turn the computer on and go into the BIOS
3. Boot the DVD drive and the ISO image from the DVD I created should load
4. Install Windows 7 then when it asks for an activation key I can enter the one I have

Is that right or am I missing something?

You could always try that, enter your exisring code, and see if it accepts it or not.

If it doesn't then you will either have to get a new code from Microsoft, or else buy an OEM copy of Windows 7, which will probably be the cheaper option anyway.

Good Luck!

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:24

My friend sent me the ISO file. I feel like this will work, hopefully it does!

Are you 100% I won't be able to use my current code?

So the only legal way to get one would be to buy one from Microsoft.

If I need to do that, how much is it and what exactly do I ask them for?

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:28

if you buy from microsoft website it will be retail i think which is 120? if you buy OEM from ocuk its 84, as Montala said try your code and if it works its all good

Ginger-Menace · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:29

that said the iso he/she sent you mite not be stable version of windows

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 18:31

I'm sure it is.

So you can't be sure that the activation key I have right now for this Windows 7 on this machine will work when reinstalling it?

Will the computer just literally ask me to enter a code during it's installation?

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 19:14

Can someone answer my question please?

When will windows ask me for an activation key?

If I swap the CPU/mobo/memory, then boot the DVD with the ISO file of Windows 7 Ultimate, will I be able to log into my user and use my computer fine?

Or will windows ask me for an activation key DURING the installation of the OS? or can I activate it later on?

Chris1712 · 12 Jan 2011 at 19:16

Rossuk89 said:
Can someone answer my question please?

When will windows ask me for an activation key?

If I swap the CPU/mobo/memory, then boot the DVD with the ISO file of Windows 7 Ultimate, will I be able to log into my user and use my computer fine?

Or will windows ask me for an activation key DURING the installation of the OS? or can I activate it later on?

Asks for code after you've installed, but you should be able to still use windows for 30-days without a code giving you time to buy a new one. Also that disc only has the x86 version on, unless your using very old hardware still you want x64.

Brumboy · 12 Jan 2011 at 19:21

Chris1712 said:
Asks for code after you've installed, but you should be able to still use windows for 30-days without a code giving you time to buy a new one. Also that disc only has the x86 version on, unless your using very old hardware still you want x64.

Hmm this website seems to say something different though:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/win7ultimate/windows7installguides/indexfullpage.htm

In his manual it asks for the activation code in the middle of installation.

Ah, I've read on a few sites that you can skip the activation code and go straight into Windows 7 like normal but you'll have 30 days to activate it?

3. Finish the Install

Once the install is complete, you’ll be asked for a user name and computer name. We generally recommend using a more creative name than “PC” or “Laptop” for your computer name, to make networking easier. You’ll be given the option to create a password for your account, but you can skip this if you want to. You’ll then be asked for your activation key, although you can skip this step as well—Windows 7 will run for 30 days without a key or activation. Next, you’ll be prompted to choose Windows update settings; we recommend “Use recommended settings.” Set the clock and choose your time zone, and you’re ready to start using your new system.

Crowort · 12 Jan 2011 at 20:40

What you said above is correct. You can skip the code for 30 days (or 90 if you rearm). You'll need to buy a new code which will basically cost the same as buying from OCUK. Using your OEM code might be possible (never 100% on this) but as you are breaking the license agreement it is the same as a cracked version. The only real difference is MS is unlikely to deactivate you later.

There is a good chance you'll not get away with the OEM route even if you still want to imo. You are changing far too much.