Getting a replacement motherboard/using exsiting HDD

[Ravenguard]

Hello. I recently began having trouble with my motherboard in the new pc I built mere weeks ago. The mobo in question is a MSI Z87-G45 Gaming and the issue I'm having is with the internet staying active. Ever since I built the new system when I'm on Skype or playing a game the computer will randomly disconnect from the internet. I've tested other devices and they stay connected just fine and all my drivers are up to date. I'm planning on going back to Microcenter and exchanging it for the exact same one. If I do this, will my Windows 7 64 bit OEM carry over, or will I have to call Microsoft and get a reactivation? Additionally, will I have to re-install all of my programs when I make the switch?Also, would it be a better idea to get an ethernet card and see if that works, or just go ahead with the exchange?

 

[HillBillyAsian]

no that's all stored on your Harddrive not your mobo, and since you would be exchanging it for the exact model it would be just fine, but first id double check to see if there are any bios updates to help with stability. then if everything is uptodate and there are still issues its up to you to decide to purchase a ethernet card, or exchange it.

 

[mouse24]

You shouldn't need to reinstall/reactive anything. I've never done this but thats what I've heard so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

There will be things different with the new board, i.e. MAC address, that are part of the hardware hash which is used to determine eligibility for activation...... each tome you change something, a few of these things are going to change. IIRC, I think 7 items needed to change to cause a problem but that was in XP days. Understandably, MS has been rather tight lipped on exactly what and how may things have to changed to trigger an activation issue. As long as you don't change too many things at the same time, (within a defined time period) you could change everything.

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/activation.html

Twice this year I have done system rebuilds (3rd party cooler installs gone bad) going from 1156 to 1155 MoBo and CPU and Windows didn't give a care.