Installing New Mobo/CPU - Windows 7 Advice Needed

STLYoungblood · 13 Nov 2012

Hey guys - new to the boards but hope you can help!

I currently am running a Gigabyte motherboard and a AMD PII X4 970 CPU. Based on gaming performance, I'm looking to make the switch to Intel (I guess that gamble of waiting for bull/piledriver to blow me away didn't pay off

)

Anyways, I've got several questions:

1) Is it possible for me to do a repair install vs. doing a full re-install? The reason that I ask is that I have a boatload of programs, music, and files scattered across 2 HDD and 1 SDD that would be a real pain to reinstall. If it's not possible, so be it, as this upgrade is happening, but I would definitely like to avoid that!

2) If a complete reinstall is possible, how can I save some folders and files? My main drive is a 7200rpm HDD with OS on it. My storage drive has videos from gaming, my wife's back up information, and various other things. SSD is full of games. If I have to reinstall, can I just not connect the SSD and Storage drive and connect them later without losing my stuff?

3) My windows version is the OEM system builder pack. I've read all over the place that it's license is tied to the motherboard. I chatted with MS support, and they said that it should be no problem to reinstall with my new motherboard and CPU, but do any of you have any experience with this going well or not? I'm actually quite nervous about it even though I have hear straight from the horses mouth that it won't be a problem!

I'll probably have more questions after I start getting responses, but I appreciate the time guys. I'm getting better with all this PC stuff, but still learning. For those of you wondering what I'm upgrading to, it will be the i5 3570k and the AsRock Extreme4 z77 board.

Thanks again,
STLYoungblood

Sir George · 13 Nov 2012

STLYoungblood said:

Hey guys - new to the boards but hope you can help!

I currently am running a Gigabyte motherboard and a AMD PII X4 970 CPU. Based on gaming performance, I'm looking to make the switch to Intel (I guess that gamble of waiting for bull/piledriver to blow me away didn't pay off

)

Anyways, I've got several questions:

1) Is it possible for me to do a repair install vs. doing a full re-install? The reason that I ask is that I have a boatload of programs, music, and files scattered across 2 HDD and 1 SDD that would be a real pain to reinstall. If it's not possible, so be it, as this upgrade is happening, but I would definitely like to avoid that!

2) If a complete reinstall is possible, how can I save some folders and files? My main drive is a 7200rpm HDD with OS on it. My storage drive has videos from gaming, my wife's back up information, and various other things. SSD is full of games. If I have to reinstall, can I just not connect the SSD and Storage drive and connect them later without losing my stuff?

3) My windows version is the OEM system builder pack. I've read all over the place that it's license is tied to the motherboard. I chatted with MS support, and they said that it should be no problem to reinstall with my new motherboard and CPU, but do any of you have any experience with this going well or not? I'm actually quite nervous about it even though I have hear straight from the horses mouth that it won't be a problem!

I'll probably have more questions after I start getting responses, but I appreciate the time guys. I'm getting better with all this PC stuff, but still learning. For those of you wondering what I'm upgrading to, it will be the i5 3570k and the AsRock Extreme4 z77 board.

Thanks again,
STLYoungblood

I will start by stating I have never had occasion to replace a motherboard, but I did work in computer "Disaster/Recovery" for a while with Zenith Infotech. I interfaced with VAR's, most of the time, who were considered knowledgeable about component replacement and data recovery. One of the things we offered was "bare metal" replacement with our service. Simple translation, you could restore an image to different hardware, generally without issue. So, my suggestion would be to use TerabyteUnlimited's BootIt Bare Metal software program. I believe you can download a fully functional trial version, don't know for sure, but that's where I would/will go if the situation ever occurs to replace major component parts.

You can check their site and the software at;

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-bare-metal.htm

HTH

PS: I know there are other methods out there, but, as I stated, this is what I would use. One thing I cannot state is what will happen with your OEM copy of the program. When I was working with Zenith, we always made sure the OS was a fully licensed copy.

edwar · 13 Nov 2012

It all depends on whether you are running a Retail or OEM version of Windows. If Retail there are ways to MOVE it to a new system without doing a Re-Install. Google will help you with that along with some of the tutorials found on this site.

If it is an OEM version then it still can be moved, using the same methods, but it may not activate on the new hardware and you will have to call MS. They may or may not refuse the Re-Activation. that is completely up to them.

STLYoungblood · 14 Nov 2012

Had to do a clean reinstall, but it activated fine :)

gregrocker · 14 Nov 2012

Sorry I am late getting to this but the programs for what you want which work best are Acronis True Image with Universal Restore during imaging, or Paragon Adaptive Restore boot disk.

Sometimes WIn7 will start on a new mobo, but if not it's a convergence of failing drivers, SID and HID conflicts. These programs sort it during imaging or from a booted CD.

AddRAM · 15 Nov 2012

STLYoungblood said:

Had to do a clean reinstall, but it activated fine :)

So, is all ok so far ?

Did you backup your data before rebuilding the pc ?
(disconnect your data drives)

STLYoungblood · 15 Nov 2012

I did. Storage drive and SSD booted back up no troubles at all. Now I'll need to find out how to reconect the games on my SSD with Origin and Steam. Shoulnd't be hard though. thanks guys.