New motherboard, new everything

[grimmjow660]

So I hear I have to reinstall Windows if I get a new motherboard, processor etc etc. I heard something about Windows old fil or whatever, what is that? Does that keep my old files on here or no? Or is it better to just do a fresh install?
Also one more thing, I have a retail version of Windows 7 Pro, and I read online that I could erase it from one PC and put it on another unlike na OEM. How do I erase it or how does Microsoft/Windows know I erased it from a PC? And will my product key work still?

 

[rhysiam]

TECHNICAL QUESTION:
I was always of the opinion that a new motherboard almost always required an OS reinstall. Others on the forums here have shared their successes by just swapping out the hardware, installing the new drivers and away they go. It doesn't always seem to work though, and I personally am a little dubious about having old drivers for non-existent hardware kicking around on my system. Some people swear by it though. Perhaps there's not a lot to lose by trying it out on the new motherboard, if it doesn't work, then you have reinstall anyway, but it's not like you've lost anything other than a little time.

LICENSE QUESTION:
You are right that Retail copies belong to you and are not tied to a single piece of hardware. If you try and use the same product key multiple time, the auto-registration process fails and you'll have to call a phone number to speak to someone. If that happens, you can just explain the situation to them and they will give you instructions to activate your OS.
Do note though that if you have two functioning computers running windows with the same retail product key you'll be in breach of your end user license agreement.

 

[grimmjow660]

TECHNICAL QUESTION:
I was always of the opinion that a new motherboard almost always required an OS reinstall. Others on the forums here have shared their successes by just swapping out the hardware, installing the new drivers and away they go. It doesn't always seem to work though, and I personally am a little dubious about having old drivers for non-existent hardware kicking around on my system. Some people swear by it though. Perhaps there's not a lot to lose by trying it out on the new motherboard, if it doesn't work, then you have reinstall anyway, but it's not like you've lost anything other than a little time.

LICENSE QUESTION:
You are right that Retail copies belong to you and are not tied to a single piece of hardware. If you try and use the same product key multiple time, the auto-registration process fails and you'll have to call a phone number to speak to someone. If that happens, you can just explain the situation to them and they will give you instructions to activate your OS.
Do note though that if you have two functioning computers running windows with the same retail product key you'll be in breach of your end user license agreement.

How many times is too much for the auto registration process to fail? I've only done it twice and it was more than a month ago.
And thanks so much!

 

[rhysiam]

I don't know exactly what the threshold is. It's really not a big deal though, I've had to do it a bunch of times. As long as it's only installed on one computer you're fully legal and doing exactly what spending the extra money on a retail copy allows you to do. Don't stress about having to phone up.
The process is only there to stop a license key being posted online for anyone & everyone to use.