Issues upgrading CPU and mobo with Vista or 7?

gpraceman · 29 Nov 2014

I am looking to do some upgrades to my desktop, which is currently running Windows Vista Business x64 (OEM system builder license). It is a PC that I built myself several years back. I want to upgrade it to Windows 7 Pro x64 and upgrade the CPU, motherboard and RAM.

I found a copy of Windows 7 Pro for Refurb PC's that is specifically for upgrading from Vista Business, so I think that I have the Windows upgrade part covered.

I was wondering if I should upgrade the hardware before upgrading Windows or do it afterward? Though, I have an uneasy feeling that neither Windows license will accept that major of a hardware change. I was really hoping that I would not have to start fresh and reinstall all of my programs.

AddRAM · 29 Nov 2014

You are gonna do the upgrades 1st.

Windows may still boot, you never know. But it`s best to reinstall windows when changing the motherboard unless it`s the same exact model.

As long as you have your Vista key, you should be fine with the upgrade.

If windows no longer boots, you`ll be forced to re install, or attempt a repair install.

Best to clean install 7 :)

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

gpraceman · 30 Nov 2014

I'm not quite sure that I follow you. You think that I should install the new CPU and motherboard before upgrading to Windows 7? If that is the case, why would I need the Vista key, as it is already installed?

gregrocker · 30 Nov 2014

It will need to be reactivated at Control Panel>System page after the hardware change since as you suspect a mobo change is too great to maintain the same activation. So if you bought an OEM Win7 copy (all that's available now) then I would definitely wait until afterwards to activate.

To adjust Vista to boot on new hardware you'll need to SysPrep to move HD to another computer
or if you do the Upgrade first (but don't activate!) you can try the Paragon CD after the change in Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD.

gpraceman · 30 Nov 2014

gregrocker said:

So if you bought an OEM Win7 copy (all that's available now) then I would definitely wait until afterwards to activate.

Actually, I found a Vista Business to Win7 Pro Upgrade. It is a "Windows 7 Pro for Refurb PC's" license. I assume that it will act like an OEM license.

AddRAM · 30 Nov 2014

You think that I should install the new CPU and motherboard before upgrading to Windows 7?

Is this not what I said ?

gregrocker · 30 Nov 2014

Another consideration is how Vista is activated. If its retail then you can activate it first if required to Upgrade on the new PC. If it's Factory OEM then I'd do the Upgrade first since the Upgrade may fail if Vista is unactivated. Even then that is full retail OEM which entitles your to either Upgrade or Clean Install without a qualifying XP or Vista license to use it as is required for retail Upgrade version.

I would strongly consider doing the Clean Install compiled in my reinstall link below as you'll have the best possible install without the accumulated corruption

gpraceman · 30 Nov 2014

gregrocker said:

Another consideration is how Vista is activated. If its retail then you can activate it first if required to Upgrade on the new PC. If it's Factory OEM then I'd do the Upgrade first since the Upgrade may fail if Vista is unactivated. Even then that is full retail OEM which entitles your to either Upgrade or Clean Install without a qualifying XP or Vista license to use it as is required for retail Upgrade version.

It is a system that I built myself. I bought the Vista Business OEM system builder license from NewEgg at that time.

gregrocker · 30 Nov 2014

If you want to upgrade Vista to Win7 then if do it on the old hardware then after you change out parts boot PAR disk provided earlier to adjust Win7 easiest to new hardware.

Issues upgrading CPU and mobo with Vista or 7?

Issues upgrading CPU and mobo with Vista OEM or 7 for refurb?