Old HDD with Win. 7 to new motherboard?

[jvjakesta]

Currently, I'm building a new, better pc for myself. I had an old HP I bought from walmart about 5 years back, and just recently, I decided it was time to start upgrading some parts. Right now I have a 1tb Hard drive, foxconn 2ab1 mobo, AMD athlon II x4 650 processor, and a 600w psu. I'm upgrading for an MSI Z97 Gaming 7 mobo, Intel 4690k cpu, and a 800w psu along with a nice case to accommodate it all. My only question is, what would be the steps for me to move my current hard drive to my new build? The OS is Windows 7 as well.

 

[ss202sl]

Move the HDD to the new computer. Install the OS from DVD(wiping the previous OS), and activate it with your new license key.

The HP has an OEM license, and will not transfer to a new machine(MB). Also the OS itself almost always has issues with new hardware(motherboard) and a new install of Windows is always best when upgrading the MB.

 

[utgotye]

Simply pull it out and move it over. However, it's highly likely that your Windows is tied to your previous computer, if it came with Windows 7. You can try to have have Microsoft reactivate it but I don't think they will. Worth a quick call though. Otherwise, you will have to purchase a copy of Windows to go with your new computer.

Somehting else you could do is wait until after the release of Windows 10. It's possible, but unlikely that you could move said install after it has been upgraded.

Either way, enjoy your new system.

 

[geofelt]

Before you do anything, find your current activation code.
It should be on a sticker on your HP case.
Otherwise a free app called "magical jellybean keyfinder" will find it.

On a new build, I strongly suggest you use a SSD for the os.
I will never again build without a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do much quicker.
120gb is minimum, it will hold the os and a handful of games. If you can go 240gb, you may never need a hard drive.

Your old windows hard drive will not likely boot with a new motherboard; the drivers simply are not there.
You are looking at a clean windows install.
If you don't have a dvd, you can download a ISO.
Leave the hard drive disconnected or windows will try to install a hidden 100mb recovery partition on it, complicating things later.
After the os is installed, you can reattach the hard drive.
You will need to reinstall apps since you now have a empty registry.

At activation time, you will likely have to call Microsoft to activate.
The key question is to say this copy of windows is used nowhere else.
You are likely to get activated, even with a oem license.
If that fails, you will need to buy a activation key, $100 or so.

 

[skitszo]

Belarc will get all your licenses with all programs.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[photonboy]

Hi,

*Allow me to sort out this confusion...

**You must PURCHASE a new copy of Windows. At this point, it's best to just buy an OEM copy of Windows 10 64-bit since it will be available in August. Thus:

1. Backup any data you want from existing PC (including the W7 serial if it's not on sticker)
2. Build new PC (leave HDD unhooked)
3. test DDR3 memory with MEMTEST www.memtest.org
4. attach HDD
5. Boot to Windows 10 Install disc, DELETE existing partitions on HDD, then continue install
6. Motherboard drivers, video drivers etc
7. finish Microsoft updates
8. Steam, games, antivirus etc.

*What about Windows 7?
That's still usable but ONLY with the motherboard setup you already have so you can write down the code for Windows 7 as suggested above if you want. Then somebody can use the old motherboard and install WINDOWS 10 using the free upgrade by applying the old code.

Again, the Windows 7 code is non-transferable to the new motherboard. You can upgrade it to Windows 10 but still only with the old motherboard setup.

**Windows 10 isn't out in RTM yet, but I assume that you can simply do THIS:
a) Download a Windows 10 RTM ISO
b) Burn it to DVD or USB (USB with Rufus)
c) Install
d) Activate with W7 code during Install or After (we don't know yet)

 

[skitszo]

easiest to me is just keeping the hard drive you have till you figure out what data you want/ need. what i mean by that is just keeping it as a part.. and secondary or external drive.

 

[photonboy]

easiest to me is just keeping the hard drive you have till you figure out what data you want/ need. what i mean by that is just keeping it as a part.. and secondary or external drive.

Good advice, though it's best to figure out that before tearing down the PC or else some of the data will not be accessible. If he can afford an SSD (a good 250GB for about $100USD for example such as a Samsung 850 EVO). Pcpartpicker.

1) Get as much data (and W7 code if not on sticker) now
2) tear down PC
3) Build new PC with W10 on SSD
4) Keep HDD aside until satisified no data needed
5) Attach HDD (may need to change BIOS boot order if it tries to boot to HDD install)
6) Format HDD and use as secondary drive

Alternatively, just sell along with old motherboard etc, and they can do the in-place Upgrade to Windows 10. May not be too many people interested though.

 

[jvjakesta]

Very interesting solutions to this topic in the wake of Windows 10. So my best bet would be to wait until the new OS rolls out? Should I try the Beta Insider program to get it started early or would that mess up my chances of upgrading to 10?

 

[photonboy]

Very interesting solutions to this topic in the wake of Windows 10. So my best bet would be to wait until the new OS rolls out? Should I try the Beta Insider program to get it started early or would that mess up my chances of upgrading to 10?

Suit yourself. You can buy an RTM copy and use the code to activate the Preview version later if you want, and the Preview will update to full RTM version so no need to reinstall.