Windows 7 New Motherboard

gbalonek

New Member
I am running Windows 7 RC. I want to upgrade my Motherboard and CPU. I will continue to use the same Hard Drive (which has Windows 7 RC installed). Will my new Motherboard run Windows 7 RC without having to re-install?
 
Welcome to Windows7forums.. :)

Unfortunately no, when you change a major component like the Motherboard you'll need to reinstall your OS.. ;) So it would be wise to do a backup of all your personal files prior to installing the new mobo/cpu.. :)
 
A clean install with the new motherboard is safest.

It's possible that Win7 would detect the hardware change and automatically come up with suitable drivers, but I wouldn't count on it.

However, I was able to do a major swap once in Vista with the aid of the "sysprep" utility. (On my system, it resides in c:\windows\system32\sysprep .)

It's intended for use by IT pros, but it can be used to eliminate system-specific drivers. The generic version of Windows created this way may be moved into a new system with different hardware. Run sysprep from the command line with the switches /generalize and /shutdown. After the machine atomatically shuts down, try the disk in the new system.

I repeat that I haven't tried this in Win7, but it was helpful in Vista.
 
How about a repair installation ? Is windows 7 provide this repairing like in XP ? Bcos I am gonna change to new mobo and CPU as well ...
 
I'm not sure.

The "repair install" in XP was really an upgrade-in-place performed on the same version of XP.

Vista may not have permitted that, at least with an upgrade license (which is what I have for my homebuilt desktop PC).

I think that Win7 may still be in the "Those who know can't say, those who say can't know" mode. I hope that changes after RTM, before GA in October.

I'll continue to recommend the clean install, although I recognize that is unhelpful to people with commercial PCs who lack install media for some pre-installed application software.
 
Just a quick update. So far so good. I changed the proc, mobo and add in ram ... First time boot it detects problem and solved it ... Second boot manage to go in and start installing all drivers ... After that everything back to normal AGAIN ! Just cool without needed to format again ... Thanks for all the helps guys !
 
I am about to undergo a similar procedure. Can you give me any advice on what you did? Did you prepare your computer before you swapped the motherboard (e.g. sysprep) or did you just turn off your computer and take the plunge?

P.S I am running Windows 7 RC x64
 
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Absolutely nothing except backup the important files in case it failed. Once I changed everything, the windows boot up normally but it will say something has changed and it will repair on next boot. After that everything just goes on as normal. However, please be advised that I am not guarantee the same thing will happen for other combination as I had changed my mobo that are using the same chipset which might be causing less problem. If the new mobo using other chipset than the old mobo then it might have some complication, but I think windows 7 will solve it eventually. (The best windows yet ... Hehe ... )
 
Thing is I’m upgrading to a different chipset.:frown: Here is the exact upgrades I’m going to make:

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 -> Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Motherboard - ASUS P5B (P965 Chipset) -> Intel Desktop Board DP45SG (P45 Chipset)
RAM - 2GB (2x1GB) 800MHz DDR2 -> 4GB (2x2GB) 1333 MHz DDR3

I think I'm gonna first backup everything, then run SYSPREP (Sytem Audit Mode and Generalize). After this I'll make the upgrades and see what happens. If anyone else has any other suggestions to what I could do please post them.

P.S. Thanks for the quick reply.
 
I just did the same thing as you from 965 to 45 chipset, gigabyte to asus Mobo. No problems at all. also install new CPU 45 nan I went to Asus site for win 7 drivers and they are all there for you
 
Unfortunately my graphics card is also broken (can't run games, driver keeps resetting & a few BSODs) so I am now also doing the following upgrade:

nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 320MB -> nVidia GeForce GTX 260

I think I may have to reinstall windows 7 now but I'll try it first without re-installing.
 
I am pretty confident that the change of GC won't cause any problem at all if you manage to make the system up and run after u changed mobo and proc. Don't worry just go ahead. Just remember to use any driver cleaner in case you don't want any driver conflict.
 
Welcome to Windows7forums.. :)

Unfortunately no, when you change a major component like the Motherboard you'll need to reinstall your OS.. ;) So it would be wise to do a backup of all your personal files prior to installing the new mobo/cpu.. :)
I did this with Vista and W-7 Rc-1. I only had to re-avtivate both Operating systems. It did not require a clean install, I also had to re-activate Office 2007. My change also included a new video card
 
If you change out components, which i have done many times, the mobo n proc will work, as long as your CPU is the same brand, like changing from intel to AMD and vice-versa won't work. Your safest bet is to use the same socket mobo n proc, even though the mixing sockets and it still working isn't unheard of, it most likely wont work...thought this might give some insight....P.S. XP doesn't make you jump through the validation hoops again like Vista/W7..
 
replace motherboard

I just replaced my ecs motherboard with a gigabyte. Before doing so I backed up a system image to an external drive. Turns out it was wholly unnecessary, The system booted with the new board without a hitchl. It seemed the system was scrambling for a few seconds to figure out the new I/Os but then came right up.:)
 
I upgraded everything (without using sysprep) and booted into windows without a hitch. I then had to wait a couple of minutes while windows looked for the new drivers before I logged on. Once I'd logged on, Windows, Office 2007 and Norton Internet Security needed re-activating. Apart from this, the upgrade went without a problem and I am very pleased with Windows 7!!!
 
Over the years I have changed motherboards for later versions and different makes with different chipsets and different CPUs without any problems at all. The OS, always booted up. I have done it with XP, Vista and last week with Windows 7 RC1. You have to install the drivers that come with the motherboard except that last week I downloaded the Windows 7 drivers as the ones on the DVD were older versions.
Yes do always backup first but may I say better still Always keep everything backed up all the time. I met someone recently who was writing a book and did not have it backed up at all. He has now!:D
 
Hi All

I have changed Motherboards several times now (see posts on freezing thread) and I have had no problems with Win 7 RC
running on either board after the change especially since I updated to the latest VISTA chipset drivers for the boards. Only thing that is needed is to re-activate Win 7 as it recognizes a hardware change and flags re-activation. But as this is Win 7 RC
it is painless via internet.

Stransky
(Douglas B)
 
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