Sysprep/OOBE - Installing new hardware

[RDLG004]

Back in February I got a new case, mobo, and RAM to upgrade my machine, and after I set them in, I was getting a BSOD loop. I don't remember the exact way that I went about the Sysprep, but I used it to wipe the old mobo drivers so that the new one would install. This ended up working and all was fine.

Just yesterday I purchased a new Processor that fits the FM2 socket, it is 64 bit allowing me to use all of the RAM I can on my machine, and I am concerned that I may need to Sysprep again. It was a handful of months ago, but as I said, I don't recall the whole procedure.

My question is, will I even need to run Sysprep in the case of a new CPU; and if so, which Sysprep path do I take for this?

 

[Kari]

Hi RDLG004, welcome to the Seven Forums.

To completely wipe and delete all hardware related drivers and force Windows to reinstall them you need to use the generalize switch with sysprep:

%windir%\system32\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /reboot

The above command would cause Windows to reboot in OOBE mode removing all hardware related information. This tutorial tells you more about generalizing a Windows setup: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

   Warning

Using sysprep with generalize switch causes Windows 7 to lose all activation information, and it needs to be reactivated afterwards. If your Windows 7 is an OEM version, you might not be able to reactivate it, at least not without phone activation option.

Kari

 

[RDLG004]

Thanks Kari,

This is actually the procedure that I used to install my new mobo! Worked out great and all is well.

My question now is: Is this procedure necessary for upgrading just the CPU specifically?

 

[Kari]

If the motherboard remains the same, only the processor is replaced, I would not bother. Windows should be OK with new CPU. Reason: only driver involved is the chipset driver and it will be the same as before.