OS install after Motherboard replacement

[96eagle]

Here is my issue/concern after I install my new Motherboard after my current one fried. The motherboard that I'm replacing was preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Premium from a computer I bought at Costco. This is my first time replacing the main guts to a computer and didn't realize that would be needing to reinstall Windows 7 Home premium. However it being OEM, and the OS is still on the Hard Drive will it possibly boot up ? If I need to get another copy as I'm assuming I'm going to need one, is it possible to just upgrade to Windows 8.1 with Win 7 still on the Hard Drive?

I hope this makes sense and any information would be much appreciated.

 

[huilun02]

It will boot and run fine and nag you for a new Win7 key. For 30 days I believe, before it locks up.

If you want to upgrade,
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-sg/windows-8/upgrade-from-windows-7-tutorial

 

[jaimelmiel]

Try to boot up. if the motherboard is similar you should have no problem. You may have to revalidate windows.
You will also want to install the basic drivers that the motherboard comes with. If it does have any. You can track them down on the internet and download then install. I have only had a problem one time out of many when replacing Mobo's.

 

[aldan]

chances are it wont boot up fine.if the new mb is the exact same one as the old one ok.if not you will have all kinds of issues.do you have your win7 key?if you do you can download an iso of your windows and use this key to activate.ms usually only licences the os to the original mb but usually a phone activation works.

 

[georetro]

Your gunna have to get a new key for windows 7. With windows 8 you can reinstall it even if you replace a motherboard.

 

[96eagle]

I do have the Windows 7 key on the side of the case. I ended up getting a MSI Z97 MoBo (came as a package deal with Intel g3258) which is an upgrade compared to the dead one. So I guess ill see what happens when I boot up the system. If it doesn't work, and I do have to get another OS to install, will my files on the hard disk be deleted? Will the files be transferred to lets say Win 8 if I go the route? I do have them backed up on my external hard drive just not sure of the process when installing/upgrading OS.
Thanks for the help!

 

[huilun02]

The key on the side of the case is an OEM copy that is tied to the original motherboard.

If you switch boards, Windows will detect it and ask you for a new key. You have 30 days I believe, to enter a new key before Windows locks up. It won't delete any of your stuff and you can use it as per normal. Your OEM key can no longer be used.

If you follow the link in my previous post about upgrading to Windows 8, you should not have to format your drive either.

 

[96eagle]

Thanks huilun02 for the help. Once I get my case I can go to work getting my computer up and running again. Ill let you know how it turns out, in the mean time ill click the solution button. Thanks everyone for the advice, very much appreciated!

 

[96eagle]

Update, I installed new MoBo, CPU, Graphics card, reinstalled memory, computer boots up but now all its doing is going straight to recovery manager. I purchased a retail copy of Win 8 and tried to install it and it keeps coming back to the recovery screen. So, I think I might have to completely wipe the HDD and go from there with Win 8 install. I have backed up my files so im not worried there. I used the old HDD from my HP premade, will that possibly be the issue? Should I just go get another HDD and basically have a brand new computer lmao, didn't plan on this but hey its my first build. I did burn a copy of DBAN to wipe my HDD and it didn't boot either. I do have CD/DVD set to boot first. Ahy help would be awesome

 

[capt_taco]

Ugh. I wish someone had mentioned this sooner, but: If it is due to a hardware failure, you are allowed to reinstall the same copy of Windows, even an OEM copy. Even if it is the motherboard you are replacing.

You will have to call or chat with Microsoft support and explain it to them - they will put up token resistance but it comes down after being insistent about what happened for one or two back-and-forths, and they will activate it. It's their job to keep people from abusing the system and installing the OS on several computers, but at the same time hardware failures happen all the time and the license accounts for that, so long as they feel you are telling the truth.

 

[96eagle]

I will give them a call and see what they can do. If that's the case, im probably out of the money I spent on win8. I just want to get this dang thing running, driving me nuts!!! Once I get it going I might as well install win 8 being I already have a copy.

 

[capt_taco]

Yeah, what I said won't do you any good now that you've already spent the money. It was more so people know in the future that it IS possible to do. You're better off trying to install W8.1 now.

Definitely wipe the hard drive clean and then do a fresh install of W8. It doesn't matter that the hard drive was from your old prebuilt machine. Once you wipe the data from it, a hard drive is a hard drive.

(well, there are a few hard drives that use special slim connectors, but this is uncommon and since yours fits, we know that's not the case.)


edit: How old is that hard drive? If this is a 5-6 year old machine, I'd say it's worth spending the $50 on a new one, perhaps a Caviar Blue 1TB. Once they get to that age, hard drives are like old cars. They could keep running for another 15 years, or they could die tomorrow.

 

[ccampy]

Caot taco urgh I wish you had reqd that the op has purchased a retail copy of windows 8

 

[96eagle]

I ended up getting a retail copy of Window 8.1, had some issue with the set up when it came to my hard drive and a friend helped me out with it. Once I figured that out it installed without any issues( I did wipe the hard drive before install). Ill be looking at getting an SSD in the future but as of right now my computer is working like a dream! Couldn't be happier!