New motherboard do I have to reinstall windows

[tanman23]

If I'm replacing my motherboard and I have windows already installed on my raid setup will it recognize or will I have to reinstall windows with the new motherboard?

 

[Tom Waller]

Your OS files are on your HDD's not motherboard. You shouldn't have to reinstall I don't think.

 

[RememberThe5th]

Try without reinstalling,but from old motherboard drivers can conflict with new motheroard soo you should reinstall.

 

[MarkW]

That is generally a good idea since different motherboards have different devices on them, and Windows only installs those drivers generally during the installation.

Be aware of the fact that Windows is keyed to the motherboard it was installed on. It might ask you for the registration key, or it might tell you to call Microsoft. Which version of Windows you are using matters. If it is an OEM version, Microsoft might tell you to buy a new copy of windows since OEM versions are not transferable to new machines, and Microsoft generally considers a new motherboard as being a new machine.

If it is a full retail version, there should not be a problem.

Also be aware of the fact that if you do reinstall Windows, that it will recreate the system Registry, and that will then require that all or nearly all of your programs will also need to be reinstalled since almost all Windows based software requires data that has been saved in the registry.

 

[viometrix]

you can reactivate an oem or retail installation with a simple phone call to microsofts automated activation center, just remember when it asks you how many pcs its on to say one, but you should reinstall windows and a 95% chance you have to anyways. just make sure to use the correct cd that came with your code and in some cases it will activate online without a hitch, otherwise you have a 6 minute phone call to make.