Will I have to Re-install with a CPU Upgrade?

[BillS22]

If I upgrade my CPU from a E6600 to a Q9550 will I have to re-install Win 7?

And if it's recommended that I re-install, can I do it over my existing install so I won't have format my HD?


.....I don't want to re-install all my apps........

 

[gregrocker]

It is highly likely Win7 wil start up since only your processor will be changed, unless I am missing something. Win7 has most all modern drivers - it is normally a combination of changes that flummox the startup.

Win7 will start itself on entirely new hardware about 50% of the time in my experience, swapping out the necessary drivers while requesting restarts as needed. There is no performance effect I have seen.

If it fails to start, you can try booting into Safe Mode to install the new processor driver which you unzip to stick or CD.

If forced to clean install from boot, you can overwrite the old install if you want as it will autoformat. If you have Upgrade version, it will see the old OS to allow use of key.

 

[Total]

If I upgrade my CPU from a E6600 to a Q9550 will I have to re-install Win 7?

And if it's recommended that I re-install, can I do it over my existing install so I won't have format my HD?


.....I don't want to re-install all my apps........

I have to this several times now - when you change the chip - boot off the windows 7 cd - press any key -- then select set up windows - new - it will search for existing windows installs , select you existing windows / then select repair - let it do its stuff -

 

[BillS22]

thanks

 

[gregrocker]

I have to this several times now - when you change the chip - boot off the windows 7 cd - press any key -- then select set up windows - new - it will search for existing windows installs , select you existing windows / then select repair - let it do its stuff -

I believe you are referring to an XP Repair Install which goes more or less according to those steps and is used to boot XP on new hardware.

Win7's own Repair Install is done from the desktop so cannot be used for this, however some have reported that Startup Repair run from the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD will help with this.

 

[Night Hawk]

What was seen here when swapping out memory on the new build required a clean install due to going from OCZ to Mushkin memory. Later after a spare supply onhand went and trashed he first board the replacement went right in without any need for reactivation. Same make and model.

For the cpu swap both being Intel you may or may not have any problem with the swap out as far as the activated status. You will find that out once the new cpu is in if that was considered a major hardware change by Windows which sounds less likely.

As far as Windows starting up that wouldn't have any effect on booting Windows simply going with a faster cpu while Windows will still detect the change on it's own. You wouldn't expect any changes to the boot sector/mbr informaiton to start with.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

After replacing the processor (or even the motherboard) just boot up - once connected to the Internet it will go through a whole slew of "Found New hardware" and probably ask for a re-boot when its been done.

I've changed processors and motherboards lots of times without having to do a re-install or even a repair.

You might also have to load various drivers later from the disk that comes with a new motherboard if you are changing a motherboard.

On the VERY RARE occasions I've had a BSOD on boot system repair will generally fix it.

Note in some cases even with a Motherboard change I haven't been asked to re-activate Windows - but on changing to me what seems a much more trivial piece of hardware such as an extra DVD drive I've had the "Hardware has changed - please reactivate Windows".

(Note my comments have assumed that you are running ANY version of W7).

For XP different criteria apply - assuming you could even find the latest drivers for the modern processors.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[nokken]

If I'm not mistaken - once you activate a Windows 7 license, you are allotted a certain amount of "points". These points are deducted from each time a piece of hardware is changed from the initial configuration during activation. Once your number of points drops below a certain unknown threshold, Windows will ask you to re-activate.

Edit: It is assumed that small items like disc drives and sound cards are worth less points than major items like the motherboard.

I know in my case, I removed a DVDRW drive and swapped out an E6750 for an E8400 and was not asked to re-activate. I didn't even need to run a repair install either.

 

[Solarstarshines]

The only thing you need to do before changing the cpu make sure the Mobo Bios is up to date other then this windows 7 will detect and just upgrade it

I doubt windows will make you do anything other then Modify you're WEI
because you just upgraded the Cpu

All you are doing is uping the performance chip on the board as long as the Bios are up to date and you know how to put it in thermal paste etc then you SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO

I honestly never had to perform any hardware changes when installing a new cpu if it was built for the board it would read it like putting a new hdd in without making it master or slave cs what ever i guess it depends on how adjustable your board is to new modifacations

 

[strollin]

I upgraded a machine I had from a single core AMD processor to a dual-core AMD processor. After booting, Win 7 update downloaded some new drivers, no need to re-install or re-activate.

 

[Night Hawk]

Well before 7 came along I swapped the cpu out twice on one case and later changed brands of memory without any reactivation or additional need for drivers. You will likely have a need to adjust the memory clock in the bios however.

 

[BillS22]

All too cool. Thanks.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Considering the motherboard is staying the same, and the processors are nearly the same architecture, you'll be just fine popping it in and booting up. I've done this many times. As long as the motherboard recognizes the chip and is configured correctly, Windows 7 will find it as well.