Upgrading/Moving Computer

st1rn3r · 16 Nov 2009

I was planning on upgrading my computer.. Namely, replacing the motherboard so that I could upgrade my processor, and getting a new video card. Under XP it was fine, I just had to install new drivers. But will 7 complain about licenses and such? Would I need to 'easy in' to the change (new motherboard, check drivers, restart, new cpu, etc), or can I change everything but the hard drive? And if I was to change the hard drive could I just dd over the hard drive image?

The place I worked had an enterprise license for XP, so I never ran into any problems, and so I'm not sure how this will work.

gregrocker · 16 Nov 2009

Which version of Windows 7 do you have installed? Only OEM versions are tied to hardware.

What Microsoft won't tell you about Windows 7 licensing

st1rn3r · 17 Nov 2009

I installed windows 7 professional using the $30 student upgrade tool (I installed it on top of the Windows 7 RC build 7100, except I had to boot it because it was a 64bit installer and I had 32bit RC installed).

ignatzatsonic · 17 Nov 2009

Changing a motherboard requires a new installation of the operating system unless you want to go through a lot of trouble.

Changing other hardware, including a new hard drive, typically does not require a reinstallation of the operating system--although most people probably do reinstall the OS on an HD change. The alternative is to image your old hard drive before the switch.

Darryl Licht · 17 Nov 2009

If after your hardware upgrades you are asked to re-activate Win7... it's an easy phone call! I had to do the same thing when I performed major upgrade on my Vista PC.

Good point ignatz... yes you do have to perform a reinstall or the old OS wont recognize new chipset, etc. But then you will most likely call to activate!