Chaning Mobo/CPU

[gallicbear]

Hi there. Let's say I've got a system with configuration A (a certain mobo and a certain CPU); my installed version is an OEM Home Premium 32 bit. Let's say I change my mobo and CPU entirely to a configuration B but reuse the hard disk with the existing Windows 7 install. Will that work or will Windows or the update system notice a difference? If it does work, can I at that point buy a WIndows 7 upgrade to change the system to 64 bit?

 

[Cornholio]

drivers will notice the difference, so you will need to ge tth e new drivers for Config B

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need to SysPrep the HD on the old hardware in order to move it or it's image successfully to new hardware: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...lation-transfer-new-computer.html#post1161038

Running Paragon Adaptive Restore CD on the HD on the new machine before attempting to start it will also work.

Both will remove activation and you will need to reactivate using a new license if it's factory OEM which cannot move. If Builder's OEM you can attempt to activate by phone with MS who will sometimes make an exception to the no-mobo-change rule, but you can't count on that.

You do not need to buy another Win7 license to change to 64 bit - either 32 bit or 64 bit is allowed with each Win7 license. You'll just need to find the 64 bit installer to http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[Dwarf]

Because you are using an OEM version of Windows 7, it will fail to activate and will not validate on the new board/cpu (assuming that it can boot). Since you have the 32-bit version, it will not affect the installation of 64-bit because that has to be a clean install in any case (it is not possible to upgrade/downgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit or vice-versa from within your current OS).

 

[gallicbear]

Thank you all for your advice. I appreciate your help.