Windows 7: Quick question: New video card installation and reactivation?

Carbonyl · 12 Apr 2011

As the title implies, I have a pretty quick (and probably stupid) question regarding upgrading my video card. I'm readying myself to swap out my old GPU for a new one, and I'm currently running Windows 7 Professional (x64). Everything is activated and genuine.

When I remove the old GPU and install the new GPU, will that cause Windows to no longer see my installation as genuine until I reactivate? If so, how can I reactivate most painlessly? Are there any other precautions I should take, or other things I ought to be aware of before performing this upgrade? I've done this many times in the past, but never on Windows 7 - Only on XP.

Thanks in advance!

biggles1000 · 12 Apr 2011

It shouldn't ask you to re-activate it. Didn't when I tried (with an underpowered psu, so the you didn't function properly, but anyway... :P )

mickey megabyte · 12 Apr 2011

i replaced my gfx card just this afternoon.

no activation issues at all.

Commodore Pet · 12 Apr 2011

Activation is tied to the motherboard. Just remember to remove your old drivers first before changing your card.

Shootist · 12 Apr 2011

You have to change quit a lot of hardware all at the same time to cause 7 to lose activation.

Whether is is tied to the motherboard as suggested by another poster I can say it is not. At least for a Retail version.

I moved my 7 install from a Asus P5P MB with a C2D CPU to an Asus P7P55D-E Pro MB with a i5 760 CPU and it never asked to reactivate, IIRC.
I have since upgraded the RAM to 16GBs and I'm about to install a SSD.
This is with Win 7 Pro retail upgrade.

vaidas3 · 13 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Commodore Pet

Activation is tied to the motherboard. Just remember to remove your old drivers first before changing your card.

thats just oem versions retail versions not tied to hardware but can be installed only on one pc at the time

Commodore Pet · 13 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by vaidas3

Quote: Originally Posted by Commodore Pet

Activation is tied to the motherboard. Just remember to remove your old drivers first before changing your card.

thats just oem versions retail versions not tied to hardware but can be installed only on one pc at the time

Thanks, I learn something new everyday on this site!

Windows 7: Quick question: New video card installation and reactivation?

Quick question: New video card installation and reactivation? problems?