motherboard swap windows 8.1

[Notoriousboob]

ok i have never swapped a motherboard before i know how to physically do it but im unsure if i can do it without having to reinstall windows im running windows 8.1 on a gigabyte ga78lmt-usb3 i wish to switch it with a ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 so i can run SLI but i dont want to reinstall windows it would be a pain in the butt because most computers dont come with a windows CD anymore not to mention i dont wanna have to re download and re install all the games i got online for free with my graphics card they are very big games and take up my bandwith usage for the month and honestly i dont know if i can download them a second time.

 

[James Mason]

with windows 8 aparently it's not an issue to reactivate. http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1759681/fwiw-hassle-windows-reactivation-motherboard-replacement.html
But it;s possible your other software might get a smidgen wonky.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You will have to reinstall because of driver issues.

 

[Notoriousboob]

You will have to reinstall because of driver issues.

what if i uninstall my current drivers before doing the swap then install the drivers to the new MOBO after?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Usually doesn't workout.

 

[Notoriousboob]

damn i was hoping i wouldnt have to reinstall. a windows 8 CD did not come with my PC when i purchased it is there a way to make one yourself? and another question will i lose my UPLAY games and steam games or will i be able to re download them?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

As long as you have valid gaming accounts they ca be re-downloaded.

 

[James Mason]

damn i was hoping i wouldnt have to reinstall. a windows 8 CD did not come with my PC when i purchased it is there a way to make one yourself? and another question will i lose my UPLAY games and steam games or will i be able to re download them?

it's quite possible you can restore your windows from the recovery partition on your hard drive (assuming you bought a PC from an OEM manufacturer)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

 

[Notoriousboob]

lol i feel kinda stupid for saying this but im not sure what OEM is i bought mine from best buy after tigerdirect was giving me problems.

 

[James Mason]

If you go to Start > right click on Computer > Properties, it should tell you there who your OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer, the guy who put your PC together) is. If Best Buy "built" it, they could likely give you a CD to reinstall windows.

 

[Notoriousboob]

oh i see. lol my manufacturer is cybertron pc. best buy didnt build it i dont remember getting a CD with it just drivers for all the components inside the PC. is there a way to create one?

 

[James Mason]

Well, you can always TRY swapping the new motherboard in and seeing how your PC reacts, if it doesnt take it as it is, you'll have to reinstall windows, or swap back to the old one. but you WILL have to install the new drivers that your new motherboard needs, you can get them the manufacturers website.

 

[Notoriousboob]

ok well im going to order the new motherboard and give it a try when i get a chance. hopefully it will work if not i guess ill have to buy a windows CD thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Notoriousboob]

would it be better if i swap my motherboard with another gigabyte motherboard? im also looking at maybe getting a GA-990FXA-UD3 instead if it would reduce any compatibility issues or does it even make a difference if you swap it with one from a different manufacturer?

 

[James Mason]

would it be better if i swap my motherboard with another gigabyte motherboard? im also looking at maybe getting a GA-990FXA-UD3 instead if it would reduce any compatibility issues or does it even make a difference if you swap it with one from a different manufacturer?

Basically any motherboard that isnt the exact same model as the old one will cause issues.