What do I do after replacing new mobo?

[Yujia_lei]

Hello guys,

I am not English Speaker, so please forgive me if my words are hard to understand...

My question: I currently using windows 8.1 as my OS. I want to replace a new motherboard, what do I do after installing all components to the new mobo? Buy a new windows 8 DVD, insert into CD-ROM, then follow the steps? Is there any way that may save me money? Can I just copy my old OS and re-use it with my new mobo?

If so, could you please tell me, step by step, how to do it? I don't have important files that need to be backup before replacing new mobo, just some games which I can download again. (In case, if I have some important files that need to be backup, how do I do? Step by step please!!!! I know nothing about motherboard and OS!!!

THANK YOU GUYS SOOOO MUCH FOR HELPING ME!!!!!
😀 😀

 

[WVMountie07]

Backup is always a good idae when replacing major components. You should not need to reinstall the OS if you are not updating your HD. I did an upgrade similar to this a couple months ago. All I did was plug my original HD into the new motherboard and it was good to go.

 

[PeppermintFangs]

As long as you have your product key (for Windows 8) and the CD that you first used to install Windows onto your computer, yes, you can reuse it.
When you buy a copy of Windows, they usually allow you to use it on one computer (unless you bought a package for several people). So long as you aren't using it on two computers at once, you'll be fine.

However, this isn't a concern if you aren't replacing your Hard Drive, as windows will still be installed on it.

If you are replacing your hard drive, here are the instructions for preparing a Windows 8 boot drive.
1. If you don't have the CD that you originally used to install Windows onto your computer, you need to find your product key and head over this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
2. Scroll down to the bottom of that page and click, "Download tool now"
3. Wait for your download to finish, then open the Tool (which I imagine is an .exe file).
4. There should be more instructions once you open that tool, but if there isn't, please feel free to share your problems...

As for backing up your hard drive, you need an external hard drive that is big enough to store all your files onto it. The backup process is different for every external drive, so I need to know which you have if you want me to give you a step by step.

Hope this helps!

 

[Yujia_lei]

As long as you have your product key (for Windows 8) and the CD that you first used to install Windows onto your computer, yes, you can reuse it.
When you buy a copy of Windows, they usually allow you to use it on one computer (unless you bought a package for several people). So long as you aren't using it on two computers at once, you'll be fine.

However, this isn't a concern if you aren't replacing your Hard Drive, as windows will still be installed on it.

If you are replacing your hard drive, here are the instructions for preparing a Windows 8 boot drive.
1. If you don't have the CD that you originally used to install Windows onto your computer, you need to find your product key and head over this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
2. Scroll down to the bottom of that page and click, "Download tool now"
3. Wait for your download to finish, then open the Tool (which I imagine is an .exe file).
4. There should be more instructions once you open that tool, but if there isn't, please feel free to share your problems...

As for backing up your hard drive, you need an external hard drive that is big enough to store all your files onto it. The backup process is different for every external drive, so I need to know which you have if you want me to give you a step by step.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate the details you provide!
So you mean OS is installed in HDD, not in motherboard?.... I am using the old HDD after replacing mobo...
😀

 

[Yujia_lei]

Backup is always a good idae when replacing major components. You should not need to reinstall the OS if you are not updating your HD. I did an upgrade similar to this a couple months ago. All I did was plug my original HD into the new motherboard and it was good to go.

So you have done nothing but plugged your old HDD into the new mobo, pressed the start button on the case, waited for few seconds, as usual?
thank you for your reply!! 😀

 

[WVMountie07]

As long as you have your product key (for Windows 8) and the CD that you first used to install Windows onto your computer, yes, you can reuse it.
When you buy a copy of Windows, they usually allow you to use it on one computer (unless you bought a package for several people). So long as you aren't using it on two computers at once, you'll be fine.

However, this isn't a concern if you aren't replacing your Hard Drive, as windows will still be installed on it.

If you are replacing your hard drive, here are the instructions for preparing a Windows 8 boot drive.
1. If you don't have the CD that you originally used to install Windows onto your computer, you need to find your product key and head over this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
2. Scroll down to the bottom of that page and click, "Download tool now"
3. Wait for your download to finish, then open the Tool (which I imagine is an .exe file).
4. There should be more instructions once you open that tool, but if there isn't, please feel free to share your problems...

As for backing up your hard drive, you need an external hard drive that is big enough to store all your files onto it. The backup process is different for every external drive, so I need to know which you have if you want me to give you a step by step.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate the details you provide!
So you mean OS is installed in HDD, not in motherboard?.... I am using the old HDD after replacing mobo...
😀

Correct, the OS is on your HD, not within the motherboard.