Upgrading Motherboard and CPU, can I keep my HDD data?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I've searched other threads but can't seem to find an answer as to whether or not replacing my mobo and cpu will require a full re install of windows 7, obviously I would like to keep my files. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[chrisso]

There are several options , one is to put a new drive as primary and put old drive in as a slave. Another is to put the drive in and see if it can be repaired by windows re install. Another is to re install windows over the old install, and look for the option to keep the old files. They will be put in a seperate partition I believe, and labelled windows old. They will be accesssable from my computer; hard drive; windows old, and the programs will even run. I have done this on my pc a couple of times, it may not be a perfect solution but it gets you going.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Windows is tied to the MB, So a re-activation online is required... Depends on the Upgrade, my Windows 7 loaded with my MB/CPU upgrade, and all I had to do was disable old and load new MB drivers... but another new Hardrive would allow you to do a fresh install on it, and then connect your Old hardrive for file transfers and Use.

 

[chrisso]

You been lucky Ironsounds. Mostly mine wouldnt even boot.
Good excuse for an ssd?

 

[geofelt]

A motherboard replacement will usually require a reinstall of windows.
That is because a new motherboard will usually have a different chipset and the current windows will not have proper drivers already installed. If the new motherboard is similar enough and you are able to boot into windows, then you are good and only have to install the drivers that came with your new motherboard.

If you need to do a new install, you can use windows easy transfer to export all of your files and settings.
After the new install, you can import them back. Programs will need to be reinstalled because the registry will have no info on them.

This might be an opportune time to install on a SSD.

A second issue is windows activation.

If your windows is retail or upgrade, there is no issue.
If your windows is oem, your license is tied to the original motherboard. You are likely to be able to activate if you convince ms that you are not a pirate and that your copy of windows is used nowhere else. Worth a try.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

There are several options , one is to put a new drive as primary and put old drive in as a slave. Another is to put the drive in and see if it can be repaired by windows re install. Another is to re install windows over the old install, and look for the option to keep the old files. They will be put in a seperate partition I believe, and labelled windows old. They will be accesssable from my computer; hard drive; windows old, and the programs will even run. I have done this on my pc a couple of times, it may not be a perfect solution but it gets you going.

Thanks for the fast response, i think i'll try reinstalling windows with the new setup, and keeping the files as you say you have done before.