Scared of upgrade, check steps please

[KAD101]

I've posted quite a lot on here but am going with a different mobo. I'm going to be upgrading my "i3-2120" to an "i5-4690K" and my "ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard" to a "Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK". I currently have Windows 7 OEM (I bought a CD on amazon) and an HDD. Here's what I want to do when all my parts get here after I order them:
Prep: - Back up important files, take pics of old mobo to know where the cables go
1) Uninstall drivers (will have to look into that, still not sure how- any tips appreciated) for old mobo + peripherals
2) Take out the old mobo and install new mobo
3) Turn on my comp, then spam Del to go into BIOS (or should I see if it boots into Win 7?)
4) Check in BIOS to see that all my parts are there and working (RAM, cpu, etc)
5) Tell the comp to boot from thumb drive (I'll have my Windows 7 on there cuz I cant find the CD)
6) Use the same key I used when I was installing the old mobo for the first time (will this work?)
7) Download drivers, etc.

Do these steps seem correct or am i missing something? I really don't want to buy another copy of Win 7 (I contacted them via chat and they said that I won't have to buy a new copy, but I'm still not certain). Should I somehow uninstall Win 7 BEFORE the change of mobos? If so, then how? I'm fine with deleting my game files and other files (obviously important files I'll back up to a thumb drive). Thanks for the help and be mindful that I am a bit of a noob at this, so don't throw a terminology tantrum .

P.S. I really want this to be my last post on here, I really feel like I'm wasting peoples time. Oh well

 

[andy_Man]

Only OEM versions of windows 7 are locked down to specific hardware. You should have no problems installing a fresh windows 7 with the same cd key. If you do microsoft support will help you through it.

You're doing a fresh install? Then there is no reason to uninstall drivers before. Just backup everything, change hardware, reinstall windows, reinstall drivers.

 

[KAD101]

Only OEM versions of windows 7 are locked down to specific hardware. You should have no problems installing a fresh windows 7 with the same cd key. If you do microsoft support will help you through it.

You're doing a fresh install? Then there is no reason to uninstall drivers before. Just backup everything, change hardware, reinstall windows, reinstall drivers.

I currently have Windows 7 OEM (I bought a CD on amazon)...

 

[boosted1g]

By Microsoft's terms of their license agreement you would need a new OS key as your current one is tied to your motherboard.

Frankly you could just get a 3rd generation i5 and not have too much of a difference between that and the 4690k

 

[andy_Man]

Only OEM versions of windows 7 are locked down to specific hardware. You should have no problems installing a fresh windows 7 with the same cd key. If you do microsoft support will help you through it.

You're doing a fresh install? Then there is no reason to uninstall drivers before. Just backup everything, change hardware, reinstall windows, reinstall drivers.

I currently have Windows 7 OEM (I bought a CD on amazon)...

You're still fine. I meant the the copies that ship on laptops for example where they embed the cdkey into the bios.

 

[andy_Man]

By Microsoft's terms of their license agreement you would need a new OS key as your current one is tied to your motherboard.

Frankly you could just get a 3rd generation i5 and not have too much of a difference between that and the 4690k

You are allowed hardware changes without buying a new key. If it locks you out you can get them to unlock it over the phone.

 

[KAD101]

Only OEM versions of windows 7 are locked down to specific hardware. You should have no problems installing a fresh windows 7 with the same cd key. If you do microsoft support will help you through it.

You're doing a fresh install? Then there is no reason to uninstall drivers before. Just backup everything, change hardware, reinstall windows, reinstall drivers.

I currently have Windows 7 OEM (I bought a CD on amazon)...

You're still fine. I meant the the copies that ship on laptops for example where they embed the cdkey into the bios.

Okay. Also, do I have to reinstall windows 7? Is there a way to just plug in the mobo and return to your desktop automatically?

 

[KAD101]

By Microsoft's terms of their license agreement you would need a new OS key as your current one is tied to your motherboard.

Frankly you could just get a 3rd generation i5 and not have too much of a difference between that and the 4690k

I don't want to upgrade my mobo just to fit the cpu, my microATX doesn't support SLI which I will do in the future...

 

[andy_Man]

You can use method one, to make your windows 7 ready for a hardware change. When windows 7 is installed it does certain things based on your hardware. Running this makes it so windows 7 redoes these tasks.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Make sure you backup anything important first. I take no responsibility.

 

[USAFRet]

Okay. Also, do I have to reinstall windows 7? Is there a way to just plug in the mobo and return to your desktop automatically?

Probably. New motherboard usually equals reinstall.
Prepare for if you have to, be thankful if you don't have to.

 

[KAD101]

You can use method one, to make your windows 7 ready for a hardware change. When windows 7 is installed it does certain things based on your hardware. Running this makes it so windows 7 redoes these tasks.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Make sure you backup anything important first. I take no responsibility.

Just quickly skimmed through it. I don't see what this does? Would this process allow me to boot into Win 7 without installation? Also, im currently running Win 10 but will downgrade (unless i shouldnt...)

 

[norseman4]

P.S. I really want this to be my last post on here, I really feel like I'm wasting peoples time. Oh well

Several people have already replied to this so I won't go farther than that. What I will say is:
Don't be afraid to fail

??

What do I mean by that? I've never bought a PC after my very first one in 88. (or was it 89?) That machine had a dead PSU when it arrived, but the fix was fairly obvious, which is not the case for PSU's today). I've had devices fail on me, and one build that just wouldn't work. (Which was based upon hard drive jumpers from back in the day) Figuring out what happened, and why things didn't work helped me learn, and in the long run save me money.

My issues back then, really aren't an issue for builders today, but having an issue and figuring it out, through research or q/a lets you become an asset to others with the same problem, and be more confident for your next build/upgrade.

FWIW: When I've replace a MB+CPU but still used the same boot/OS drive, I was asked to re-enter my key. If you have your original key, but that doesn't work, call MS (the support # should be on the pop-up that says your key doesn't work) and explain what the issue is. It worked for me 5 years ago, but it still should work the same. (New builds since then, with data transfers for the important stuff.)

 

[KAD101]

P.S. I really want this to be my last post on here, I really feel like I'm wasting peoples time. Oh well

Several people have already replied to this so I won't go farther than that. What I will say is:
Don't be afraid to fail

??

What do I mean by that? I've never bought a PC after my very first one in 88. (or was it 89?) That machine had a dead PSU when it arrived, but the fix was fairly obvious, which is not the case for PSU's today). I've had devices fail on me, and one build that just wouldn't work. (Which was based upon hard drive jumpers from back in the day) Figuring out what happened, and why things didn't work helped me learn, and in the long run save me money.

My issues back then, really aren't an issue for builders today, but having an issue and figuring it out, through research or q/a lets you become an asset to others with the same problem, and be more confident for your next build/upgrade.

FWIW: When I've replace a MB+CPU but still used the same boot/OS drive, I was asked to re-enter my key. If you have your original key, but that doesn't work, call MS (the support # should be on the pop-up that says your key doesn't work) and explain what the issue is. It worked for me 5 years ago, but it still should work the same. (New builds since then, with data transfers for the important stuff.)

Thanks! I really feel like I have learned a lot by googling and asking about this stuff on here. I guess I'm just very cautious because of the price of the items (I'm also getting a 970 along with this), so I want to be extra careful. I already missed out on a free promo game with the GPU because I was stalling and being careful, but I really feel I learned more than that games worth XD. As for the boot, I guess I should just do it and hope for the best. If something awry, I'll come back here! Thanks again for the support from everyone