Switching from 939 to AM2 board...

[amccall]

I was wondering if I needed to reinstall windows when switching from 939 motherboard to an AM2. It's my first time switching everything over, so I didn't know if windows would crap out on me.

I kept everything the same as before and switched out my motherboard, RAM, and CPU.

 

[wingless]

What OS are you running? Windows XP doesn't like new hardware and Windows Vista is most assuredly the same. For a stable system you'll want to reinstall Windows.

 

[runswindows95]

Best thing to do is back up your data, and do a fresh install.

 

[firetatoo]

if you have a retail copy (as in boxed and not an OEM or a copy that came with a PC) then you can just do a repair install to adapt the OS to the new hardware without a complete reinstall. if you DO have an OEM then you will need to completely reinstall... i went from a 939 to AM2 in june and this is what i learned.

 

[sepayne21]

if you have a retail copy (as in boxed and not an OEM or a copy that came with a PC) then you can just do a repair install to adapt the OS to the new hardware without a complete reinstall. if you DO have an OEM then you will need to completely reinstall... i went from a 939 to AM2 in june and this is what i learned.

I was thinking that you could only use an OEM copy (like a copy that comes from dell hp etc) 1 time per motherboard. If you swap out your motherboard your liscence becomes invalid. Unless or course you don't mind lieing to microsoft when you activate it with your fresh install with the new motherboard.

i.e. microsoft: "did you have any hardware changes"
you: "yes"
microsoft: "did you swap out your mobo?"
decision 1 you:"yes" microsoft: "please purchase an upgrade"
decision 2 (lie) you: "no" microsoft: "your activation code is ..."

someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[evongugg]

Tell Microsoft the motherboard went bad and you had to replace it.

 

[rodney_ws]

someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Sadly, I think you're right.

Just for the sake of making life easier on enthusiasts who swap components regularly, I wish MS would just drop this whole non-sense. I know MS has to define a computer somehow... but come on! As restrictive as their licensing requirements are I really have to wonder if Bill Gates even manages to be 100% compliant.