[SOLVED] Motherboard HELP!!!

[messatsou]

Would it be alright to replace a MSI h61m-p31/w8 Motherboard with a MSI H61M-P25(B3) motherboard? Would I still have to reformat all my files to do so properly?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

If they are very similar you might be able to get away with just transplanting the motherboard booting windows and having windows installed a few drivers. However if it doesn’t work you should do a clean install

 

[RememberThe5th]

Which windows it is?
If its windows 7 , you will have to, if its windows 10 it will actually work without reinstallation and you can install latest drivers.

 

[messatsou]

Which windows it is?
If its windows 7 , you will have to, if its windows 10 it will actually work without reinstallation and you can install latest drivers.

Unfortunately, it's Windows 7. But if in any case I get the exact same motherboard-- do I still have to reinstall everything?

 

[RememberThe5th]

Yes, cause the microcode which is bound with windows lies within the bios of chip onto the motherboard, its like serial key for a video game.
If you can upgrade to windows 10, which can be possible, you might get away without using a new key (or if you wanna buy cheapo ebay key and keep windows 7).

if the bios chip (Small chip with 8 legs) is removable, then you can "PROBABLY" replace it with same model, I really did not have checked that cause i've had 2 same motherboards long time ago.
But you can try it, why not?

And if i may ask, why are you replacing same motherboard for same?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

As I said before if the motherboards are very similar even Windows 7 should boot and you would be able to install your chipset drivers and you may have to reactivate but you don’t have to format most likely. You should try it