Ready to Swap motherboards, need assistance

[Lolcaked101]

Hey, I am currently swapping my motherboard to a A68HM-E33-V2 to a B250M-DS3H. I know all of the actual physical parts. I don't know where I am supposed to re-install windows or any of that. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[USAFRet]

Hey, I am currently swapping my motherboard to a A68HM-E33-V2 to a B250M-DS3H. I know all of the actual physical parts. I don't know where I am supposed to re-install windows or any of that. Any help would be much appreciated!

What OS is this?

 

[Lolcaked101]

Windows 10 Home. It came pre-installed with a product key I had to put in.

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 10 Home. It came pre-installed with a product key I had to put in.

Read and do this before changing any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

 

[USAFRet]

The above takes care of the licensing/activation (probably).
You'll still need to probably do an actual full reinstall. OS, drivers, applications, everything.

 

[Lolcaked101]

The above takes care of the licensing/activation (probably).
You'll still need to probably do an actual full reinstall. OS, drivers, applications, everything.

It's not that I am confused about. I am just clueless as to where to do the reinstall. I've looked at a bunch of different videos and other places and I am completely lost.

 

[USAFRet]

If needed (and it probably will be), you do the reinstall after the major hardware change.

So...you prepare for this.
ASsuming your system still works(?), you gather allt he stuff needed.

The OS, here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
You'll need a 5GB or larger USB stick for this

Drivers. Find all the drivers for your hardware (GPU, keyboard, LAN). Save these to another USB stick.

Document all the username/passwords for your accounts and applications

Applications...know where to go and download the install files for whatever applications you use.

 

[Lolcaked101]

If needed (and it probably will be), you do the reinstall after the major hardware change.

So...you prepare for this.
ASsuming your system still works(?), you gather allt he stuff needed.

The OS, here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
You'll need a 5GB or larger USB stick for this

Drivers. Find all the drivers for your hardware (GPU, keyboard, LAN). Save these to another USB stick.

Document all the username/passwords for your accounts and applications

Applications...know where to go and download the install files for whatever applications you use.

So, I go change my hardware, then plug in my USB and boot it from there? Sorry I am completely clueless. This is all new stuff to me. All the help is much appreciated!

 

[USAFRet]

So, I go change my hardware, then plug in my USB and boot it from there? Sorry I am completely clueless. This is all new stuff to me. All the help is much appreciated!

Assuming you did all the other stuff I mentioned, yes.

 

[Lolcaked101]

So, I go change my hardware, then plug in my USB and boot it from there? Sorry I am completely clueless. This is all new stuff to me. All the help is much appreciated!

Assuming you did all the other stuff I mentioned, yes.

Alright, final question before I start this process. I leave my computer as it is now and go change it, then do everything afterwards? Or do I have to format my hard drive? That's one of the biggest parts that I have been confused with about this whole process.

 

[USAFRet]

So, I go change my hardware, then plug in my USB and boot it from there? Sorry I am completely clueless. This is all new stuff to me. All the help is much appreciated!

Assuming you did all the other stuff I mentioned, yes.

Alright, final question before I start this process. I leave my computer as it is now and go change it, then do everything afterwards? Or do I have to format my hard drive? That's one of the biggest parts that I have been confused with about this whole process.

Please list all the steps you've done to prepare for this.

 

[Lolcaked101]

So, I go change my hardware, then plug in my USB and boot it from there? Sorry I am completely clueless. This is all new stuff to me. All the help is much appreciated!

Assuming you did all the other stuff I mentioned, yes.

Alright, final question before I start this process. I leave my computer as it is now and go change it, then do everything afterwards? Or do I have to format my hard drive? That's one of the biggest parts that I have been confused with about this whole process.

Please list all the steps you've done to prepare for this.

So, I have all the drivers, the OS thing (I don't know what to call it) and I have all the hardware

 

[USAFRet]

Test your OS USB:
Power off
Plug it in
Power up....does it boot from that and try to start the install?

 

[Lolcaked101]

Test your OS USB:
Power off
Plug it in
Power up....does it boot from that and try to start the install?

It did not boot directly into the install

 

[USAFRet]

Test your OS USB:
Power off
Plug it in
Power up....does it boot from that and try to start the install?

It did not boot directly into the install

And this is why we test before doing major changes.
You may need to alter your boot priority in teh BIOS.

Or...how did you create that USB install thing?

 

[Lolcaked101]

Test your OS USB:
Power off
Plug it in
Power up....does it boot from that and try to start the install?

It did not boot directly into the install

And this is why we test before doing major changes.
You may need to alter your boot priority in teh BIOS.

Or...how did you create that USB install thing?

I downloaded it from the website, started it up and went through the process of it putting the stuff on the USB

 

[USAFRet]

I downloaded it from the website, started it up and went through the process of it putting the stuff on the USB

Then your BIOS boot order is incorrect.
Change it to USB first.

 

[Lolcaked101]

Alright, it booted to the install screen

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, it booted to the install screen

OK then...

Hardware time it is.

After changing the hardware, try it with the existing OS on the drive.
But do not be surprised if it fails to boot properly, or at all.
Then again, it might just boot up.

But this is why you did all that prep stuff...just in case it does not.
Me personally, I'd do a full wipe and reinstall anyway.

 

[Lolcaked101]

Alright, it booted to the install screen

OK then...

Hardware time it is.

After changing the hardware, try it with the existing OS on the drive.
But do not be surprised if it fails to boot properly, or at all.
Then again, it might just boot up.

But this is why you did all that prep stuff...just in case it does not.
Me personally, I'd do a full wipe and reinstall anyway.

So, after trying to put the mobo in by myself, I finally got it in. I booted it into the existing OS and it worked just fine. Not sure where to go from here