windows 8 install

[Galacticfox]

hey guys im swapping mobo and cpu. can someone please help me load windows onto the new rig. i dont have my disc or serial number because my old pc came with it pre-loaded. i want to burn a dvd and do a fresh install. please help

 

[Tom Waller]

You don't need to re-install your OS, but check to make sure your mobo can handle whatever you plan to use and update your BIOS if you have too.
You dont need to reinstall windows if you kept the same HDD

If you want to reinstall then you're going to have to buy another copy.

 

[Bossyfins]

You will need to buy another copy of windows in order to install it. Unless you use a recovery disk, which I can not 100% guarantee will work...

 

[bignastyid]

hey guys im swapping mobo and cpu. can someone please help me load windows onto the new rig. i dont have my disc or serial number because my old pc came with it pre-loaded. i want to burn a dvd and do a fresh install. please help

The preinstalled OEM versions of windows 8 are tied to the motherboard, the key itself is embedded in the bios of the board. You will need to but a new copy of windows to use with the new board. The retail and system builder version of windows 8 that are available for purchased can be moved to a different system as long as they are only installed on 1 pc at a time.

 

[USAFRet]

You will need a new OS.

 

[Bossyfins]

As I stated previously you need a new OS. OEM copies of windows become tied with a specific mobo

 

[bignastyid]

As I stated previously you need a new OS. OEM copies of windows become tied with a specific mobo

The OEM system builder versions of 8 and 8.1 can be moved. Only the preinstalled OEM versions are tied to the board.

 

[Bossyfins]

Can they? Hmm, this was something I did not know...

 

[USAFRet]

Can they? Hmm, this was something I did not know...

Yes. This changed with Windows 8 and 8.1.

 

[Galacticfox]

balls

 

[Bossyfins]

On tom'shardware, it is against the rules to aid in cracking software or any related topics.

As I stated before, you can try wiping the HDD and re-installing your copy you bought, but that is pretty much the best you can do.