Backup system for new motherboard?

[dave_2378]

I am upgrading my mobo to a better one and know I will need to reinstall windows. I just bought a new 250 gb ssd a few weeks ago and did a clean install with windows 8 that I purchased from frys electronics. I have no hhd since i have no need for mass storage. Is there a way to swap out mobos and install/ transfer everything with the new mobo? Mabe a backup disk. Would need step by step advise because storage is out of my comfort zone.

 

[clutchc]

If your new board is quite a bit different from the old one, you will have to re-install Windows anyway.

 

[dave_2378]

Do i have to buy a new copy or can I just create a backup disk or system image

 

[clutchc]

Do i have to buy a new copy or can I just create a backup disk or system image

A restore disk will simply restore the OS as it was when you had the old MB. You need to do a clean install of Win. If it is Win7 and you don't have a Win installation disk, you can download an ISO file here that you can use to burn a Win7 installation disk. Use that to install Win7 to your drive. You will then have 30 days to activate Win with your product key, or it will nag you to death. http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

If you just try to boot to your current installation of Win, it will probably freeze or crash because it can't find the MB components it originally set itself up for. But there is always the slight chance that you will be able to boot to the desktop, and Win will then try to install new drivers from its data base for the new board. But that only works if the new MB is somewhat similar to the old MB.