Replacing Motherboard and Cpu

[abuamatullah]

Hi i was hoping to get some advise since i am in a tough jam.

I am wanting to replace my motherboard, cpu and memory in my pc. I currently have some software saved on my comp. that i dont want to loose such as adobe master collection cs5 and rosetta stone. If i do a clean install how do I backup this software to transfer it after installing a new motherboard? The reason I am so uneasy about this is because Im not sure if i will lose the product keys and how i would go about getting them back if i did. I have all the discs for my rosetta stone and the product key on the manuel but i know i dont have the product key to re activate my windows 7 if i need it. Can anyone give me some advise on what should be my first step at least because i am completley lost and would considr myself a greenhorn in stuff like this but wanting to learn.

 

[Sanity]

Simply reinstall your software after reinstalling Windows. Use the product keys from the manuals / packaging for Rosetta Stone and CS5.
You might be able to get your Windows licence key using a licence recovery program such as Jellybean or something like that.

 

[belikexp]

How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20146-custom-install-windows-7-a.html

This way you will not lose your data.

 

[myzr7]

Hi i was hoping to get some advise since i am in a tough jam.

I am wanting to replace my motherboard, cpu and memory in my pc. I currently have some software saved on my comp. that i dont want to loose such as adobe master collection cs5 and rosetta stone. If i do a clean install how do I backup this software to transfer it after installing a new motherboard? The reason I am so uneasy about this is because Im not sure if i will lose the product keys and how i would go about getting them back if i did. I have all the discs for my rosetta stone and the product key on the manuel but i know i dont have the product key to re activate my windows 7 if i need it. Can anyone give me some advise on what should be my first step at least because i am completley lost and would considr myself a greenhorn in stuff like this but wanting to learn.

Welcome to SevenForums
You should make an Image of your Hard Drive just in case you need to format it. You do have a good chance that the current Windows 7 install will start up after replacing the MB and CPU ect. Your activation key should be easy to get if your Win7 is still starting, I use belarc adviser to do that job myself. Of course you may need to call MS and reactivate because of the new hardware. Good luck to you with your project.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[abuamatullah]

thanks for the help everyone. I used windows back up to back up my data onto a external hard drive. Do you think this is sufficiant or should more steps be taken?

 

[mjf]

Absolutely make an image or two. I would actually use a brand new HDD since you are effectively building a new system and keep the old HDD until you are up and running.

Remember to deactivate your Photoshop and other licensed software after imaging. Then I'd clean install and reactivate everything.
There are tools to help you port your complete system but I think the clean install approach would be worth the effort.

 

[abuamatullah]

lol just decided to do a entire new build instead. appreciate the help from everyone though