Motherboard & CPU upgrade without re-install

You have Windows 7 Ultimate means you have installed it in the last couple of years. Have you upgraded from an older OS or had a clean install?

If it is clean install then you might have the setups for your software programs archived on CDs/DVDs or a hard disk.

I am assuming that you have some 16 bit programs... and that is the reason why you want to stick around with a Windows 7 x86 (32 bit).

Most of the 16 bit programs work straightaway when moved from computer to computer because most of their settings are stored in ini files.

The only problem is with 32 bit programs which have a setup program, which writes data to registry and copies some files to Windows / System 32 folder along with Program Files folder and other folders also.

Simple 32 bit programs can be transferred easily from system to system. The only problem comes with Software Suites.

If you have these setups for your favorite softwares, well and good. Otherwise you can try to find some updated latest programs from internet.

Keep your old computer like that running for the time being. Try to get a decent budget system with a dual core 64bit processor with decent memory and graphics. Install Windows 7 x64 on this system and slowly migrate to this system one program after another. This system can run 64 bit and most of the 32 bit programs straightaway.

The only problem will be with 16 bit programs. May be you can get the Windows XP mode which supports the 16 bit programs.

64 bit operating systems are the future and slowly the 32 bit OSs will also be faded out.

So to keep yourself futureproof you can progress towards a 64 bit OS and slowly retire the old PC.

whs, Interesting - yes they were all IBM 1401, 7074, 360/30 /40 /50 /65 and a strange Atlas that I can't remember the model. Started on the ground floor making tea for my shift - ended with Technical support specialist - systems analyst, workflow (time & motion) job control and all that stuff. Messed around with Cobol and Fortran - the good ole days - look what happened since then... Do you remember high speed data transfer links using 5-unit murraycode for teleprinter/telex communications ?
Was also ship to shore cable and wireless morse op from the late fifties - still an active radio amateur... where has it all gone ? was it worth it - hell yes ! I'd do it all over again.
This is my old setup:
Conroe 1333-d667
Pentium 4 631 cedar mill 3.0
2 x Kingston pc2 5300 1gb
1 x Sata Western Dig WD2500 250gb
2 x Sata Seagate ST3500 500gb each
1 x IDE Plextor PX-870A
20x2 LCD HD44780 parallel display (DIY) use it for rss news feeds (ticker tape style).

rraod, Thank you for your input. Yes it was a clean install - the greatest OS ever so far from MS. IMHO.
I have a dual boot XP which has not been used since I changed over. I guess you are right by suggesting a gradual buildup of 64 - I have a spare case and P/S which can be used as a building block. Maybe I will seriously consider your suggestion - probably would be stress free in the end. Only thing it will take a bit of time to purchase piece by piece and hopefully by the time I am finished it won't be obsolete things move so fast !
I was sort of put off by going 64 originally as there were so many negative comments on the net, but this is the obvious way to go (I was actually going to wait for 128 and do one big upgrade - smiles). Maybe they will perfect that by the time I'm about 90 yrs !!

No offense, but those saying that it isn't possible are absolutely wrong. From actual experience, Windows 7 generally detects and installs drivers for the new hardware without a hitch, even with drastic changes in architecture five years apart. I've done it successfully several times in Windows 98 SE, XP, and 7. If anything, 7 is MORE forgiving than older operating systems. You may have a conflict with the disk controller, but all you have to do is switch to Microsoft's generic drivers before swapping the hardware.

I had a Intel Core 2 setup and I was able to move my raided hard drives from one computer to the other and the raid controler picked it right up. 4 hard drives 2 diffrent raid setups and it picked it up. The motherboard had died so i went what the hell lets try to boot into Windows 7 and it worked. My IT friends at work were amazed. The controler was the number for number the same. IE the bios on the controler was the same on the old MB as it was on the new.

had to reinstall changing from a 775 board to 1155 but i half expected it, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it is worth trying.

Everybody, thanks so much for all the suggestions and personal experiences. I will weigh this whole thing out and make a decision down the line. It has been a great help to have these points of view. Looks as if its down to a coin toss