Re-installing Windows 7 if hard drive is corrupted

Hi,

Been having some problems with my pc and am on the verge of a full hard-drive reformat and might replace the motherboard at the same time. Should say that because of the problems I can't actually get in to Windows - stuck in the BIOS stage.

Where do I stand with my Windows 7 licence (I'd read you can only use it on one pc)?

If I install it on my "new" pc (i.e. reformatted hd and new motherboard) will I be able to activate it or is it still going to be linked to my old installation? Wondered if by activating it on the new hard drive it would automatically inactivate my other installation?

The problem being that I can't load up Windows in order to inactivate it and hence why I am looking to reformat in the first place!

I wonder

Cheers

ajb1983 said:

Hi,

Been having some problems with my pc and am on the verge of a full hard-drive reformat and might replace the motherboard at the same time. Should say that because of the problems I can't actually get in to Windows - stuck in the BIOS stage.

Where do I stand with my Windows 7 licence (I'd read you can only use it on one pc)?

If I install it on my "new" pc (i.e. reformatted hd and new motherboard) will I be able to activate it or is it still going to be linked to my old installation? Wondered if by activating it on the new hard drive it would automatically inactivate my other installation?

The problem being that I can't load up Windows in order to inactivate it and hence why I am looking to reformat in the first place!

I wonder

Cheers

Dont worry about your activation. At worst you might have to call MS.. Format away you are safe.


Ken

Is this a retail copy of Win7 or did it come pre-installed on the computer?

If retail, you can move it to any computer as long as it is on only one at a time.

If factory OEM, you need to replace the mobo with the same model to reactivate with the license on the COA sticker.

Have you tried running the HD maker's Diagnostics/Repair CD scan from the Support Downloads webpage for your model HD? Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. This can fix and salvage a HD.

gregrocker said:

Is this a retail copy of Win7 or did it come pre-installed on the computer?

If retail, you can move it to any computer as long as it is on only one at a time.

If factory OEM, you need to replace the mobo with the same model to reactivate with the license on the COA sticker.

Actually, Microsoft is always very flexible and helpful about that, even with OEM Windows. If you replace the mobo with a different brand or model, and it does not reactivate, simply call the MS activation phone number and they will give you a code to type in to activate it.
Their main concern is that you don't install it on two computers at the same time. So just tell them the old mobo burnt out and you replaced it.

There is no such thing as "inactivating" the old system first - and no need to.