Help changing motherboards on 2 current Win Pro systems

trinaz said:

gregrocker said:

...If it's retail Full or Upgrade version then it can migrate to any new hardware of your choice. Retail Builder's OEM version also is restricted to first mobo installed upon.

Sounds good....both DVDs are retail upgrade versions...liscensed and registered.

Should be no problem then ?

On the 64bit machine that I want to setup up via an Acronis image restore...will the system at first startup simply read the hardware changes and adjust accordingly to the new HDD and motherboard...etc ?

Thanks

Hi there

the PRO'S for some reason always suggest the SYSPREP route -- but that's really overkill in this case.

It's a hassle unless you have the right infrastructure for "Sysprepping" machines and can get hold of the PE / WAIK stuff.


Simply do the RESTORE with the Universal restore feature if you are using Acronis. Remember to check to restore the small boot system partition also if it exists.
Acronis is quite good at detecting and restoring an image to different hardware.

Ensure also just in case you have these tools ready : BOOTABLE acronis restore which I assume is what you'll be using and a bootable partition manager which you *might* need if you decide at the same time this is a good time to re-size partitions etc.

Now keep your W7 install disk handy because the ist boot with the new mobo might BSOD.

If it does simply install the W7 disk and choose repair system.

This should possibly after one or 2 re-starts give you a bootable system.

You probably will have to install some new drivers anyway for the new MOBO --
These should be on the disk you get with the new Mobo.

As for activation -- just wait and see if you are asked -- if you've got the RETAIL version there won't be a problem - activate by phone if there is.

Just one other little trap for the unwary

Before killing the OLD system make a note of some of the BIOS settings - in particular whether VT (or AMD equivalent) depending on the CPU you are using is set, the Boot order and above all whether ACPI is enabled or not.

You cannot change the ACPI option unfortunately without doing a NEW WINDOWS install so check the OLD settings and ensure before your first boot OF ANYTHING on the new mobo the BIOS settings are consistent with the old one's. The new MOBO's default options won't necessarily be the same as the old one.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo -

I also use Acronis with Universal Restore to reimage or Paragon Adaptive Restore CD "PNP Adjust" feature for moving to new hardware. But because few seem to have it I recommend SysPrep first since it's available free to everyone, and Kari wrote up a tutorial making it easier for Consumer use.

I agree SysPrep is cumbersome and since I would not bother with it myself I am hesitant to recommend it so much. It's really only because I lean heavily to free options, and the other two are paid now that PAR has disappeared as a trial.

Do you think it would be better to recommend Clean Reinstall instead with a mention of the other 3 adaptive choices? Clean Reinstall might even take less time.