Upgrading mobo need some expert opinions.

[Grogar123]

Hello, I am currently looking to upgrade my mobo because the current one I have is giving me major problems. Note that I have a pre-built PC and the mobo is literally the only thing that I have not replaced yet.

My PC Specs when I bought it: http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-ENVY-700-Desktop-PC-series/5358989/model/5374056/document/c03782932#N439

My Current Mobo: MS-7778 (JasmineR)

What I am planning on getting: http://motherboards.specout.com/l/3794/MSI-H97M-G43

I have never switched out motherboards or CPUs so i'd like to know if it is simple or would i have to buy a whole new OS? Because i plan on using the same HDD.

Thank you.

 

[utgotye]

If you are still using the OS you got with the PC, yes you will have to purchase a new license.

Swapping parts is simplicity itself. Take out old motherboard, remove CPU and heatsink and install in/on new motherboard. Put new setup back in case. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes even for a novice.

 

[Grogar123]

If you are still using the OS you got with the PC, yes you will have to purchase a new license.

Swapping parts is simplicity itself. Take out old motherboard, remove CPU and heatsink and install in/on new motherboard. Put new setup back in case. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes even for a novice.

So what would happen if i werent to buy a new OS? What would it say?

 

[utgotye]

Your install would still function (to a point) but your Windows license would not longer be valid. Most likely, assuming it boots at all, it will tell you that Windows needs to be activated or something to the effect or it can't verify the activation state of the license due to a recent hardware change and will prompt you to reverify. It will almost certainly fail and you will be stuck with Windows that isn't activating, which can get very irritating, very quickly. Again, that's if it boots at all.

 

[Grogar123]

Your install would still function (to a point) but your Windows license would not longer be valid. Most likely, assuming it boots at all, it will tell you that Windows needs to be activated or something to the effect or it can't verify the activation state of the license due to a recent hardware change and will prompt you to reverify. It will almost certainly fail and you will be stuck with Windows that isn't activating, which can get very irritating, very quickly. Again, that's if it boots at all.

OK i see. And another quick question if you dont mind. My PC came with windows installed already i just had to turn on my pc and set it up. is there anyway i could get my activation key for my windows 8?

 

[utgotye]

To what end? At best, it would only be good for reinstalling on the same machine.

That said, download Magical Jelly Bean. After it is installed, you should be able to use it to easily find your product key.

 

[Grogar123]

To what end? At best, it would only be good for reinstalling on the same machine.

That said, download Magical Jelly Bean. After it is installed, you should be able to use it to easily find your product key.

Ok thanks im installing it now and would uninstalling all the drivers from my old mobo and then installing my new mobo would that work cause i saw a video of someone doing that

 

[utgotye]

In theory, no. It may install and it might even work but the key would not be valid since the motherboard has been changed and the key is tied to the motherboard.

 

[Karadjgne]

OEM windows is tied to the motherboard bios, so you can change out every single part of your HP other than the motherboard and Windows won't care. If you change out the motherboard, Windows decides you have built a new pc, and will demand you buy a new licence. If this was a straight up Microsoft OEM version, you could contact Microsoft support and if you could prove to their satisfaction that you are just replacing a faulty mobo, they 'might' issue you a new licence. However, yours is an HP OEM, and replacing the mobo with a non HP OEM mobo is considered loss of brand and HP won't issue a new HP licence to a non HP user.

End result, you swap out the mobo for a h97 and you buy a new OS. I'd suggest a retail version as that is tied to you as the buyer, not the machine.

On the other hand, doing so, you'll get a clean OS, no heaps of HP bloatware etc.

 

[Grogar123]

OEM windows is tied to the motherboard bios, so you can change out every single part of your HP other than the motherboard and Windows won't care. If you change out the motherboard, Windows decides you have built a new pc, and will demand you buy a new licence. If this was a straight up Microsoft OEM version, you could contact Microsoft support and if you could prove to their satisfaction that you are just replacing a faulty mobo, they 'might' issue you a new licence. However, yours is an HP OEM, and replacing the mobo with a non HP OEM mobo is considered loss of brand and HP won't issue a new HP licence to a non HP user.

End result, you swap out the mobo for a h97 and you buy a new OS. I'd suggest a retail version as that is tied to you as the buyer, not the machine.

On the other hand, doing so, you'll get a clean OS, no heaps of HP bloatware etc.

Yeah i think ill just grab a new windows 8.1 would i stil be able to upgrade to windows 10?

 

[utgotye]

Yes, until July 2016.

 

[Karadjgne]

Get win 10 if possible, that way you have a direct restore. If you get 8.1 and upgrade, and do a complete restore, you'll have to go through the whole upgrade process all over.