I am swapping out my older X58 BIOS motherboard for a UEFI motherboard with a new Ivy Bridge i5. I'd rather not have to reinstall Windows 7, and just want to make sure I can swap the boards and CPUs without issue. Thanks!
I don't know how likely that is.
Before you try any transplant, I strongly recommend that you image your HD. I've used Acronis True Image, although it's not completely foolproof.
You may be able to simply swap motherboards, Windows 7 detects the hardware changes, and off you go. You may have to install a few new drivers.
If that doesn't work, you may be able to use the sysprep utility on your WIndows installation, with the "generalize" switch. That's intended to allow producing a generic Windows installation for diverse hardware. (Drivers are removed.)
If all else fails, re-install Windows. I hope that you aren't using an OEM copy of Windows. Microsoft may not be willing to activate it on a new system.
As Bob says, SysPrep on the hardware to be sure it will start on the new: SysPrep to move HD to another computer
There is a different method to install in EFI mode so you'll want to be sure the EFI boot disk listing is removed from the BIOS Boot order, and any setting for Legacy BIOS is enabled. You may need to read further in your mobo manual on it's SUpport Downloads webpage to see how to avoid EFI to use a normal MBR (not GPT) formatted HD.
If it starts up it should load all of the drivers while requesting several restarts, then run Windows Updates until all Important and Optional are caught up.
If not post back what happens along with any verbatim error message.
If I have time I will be doing this project tonight. Should I deauthorize those programs that required authentication (i.e. iTunes, Adobe CS6, PrefectDisk, etc.)?
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