📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses challenges and solutions related to upgrading and replacing hardware components, specifically motherboards, with a focus on Windows 8 Pro 64-bit. The original poster plans to replace their ASUS motherboard and questions whether they need to reinstall Windows 7 first, then upgrade to Windows 8, or if they can transfer their existing installation, handles activation, and preserve settings. Responses suggest creating a system image as a potential way to retain data and system setup, with some users sharing their successful experiences with clean or direct installs on new hardware.
BlessYahowah

BlessYahowah

Senior Member
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
13
Thread Author #1
I am running Windows 8 Pro 64-bit on an ASUS M4A89GTD PRO USB3, which is not 100% compatible with Windows 8, as it turns out. So I will be receiving from a vendor an ASUS M5A99FX EVO R2.0 tomorrow and will replace the older board. Fortunately, my current processor and RAM are compatible with the new motherboard, too. :livid:

This Windows 8 Pro 64-bit is an upgrade to my old Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit OS. I bought it from Amazon.com, so it wasn't a download that I could burn an ISO from. So here's my question: Will I have to reinstall Windows 7, then reinstall the upgrade after I replace the motherboard (which uses a different chip set than its predecessor), and then do the phone-in activation? Is there some wonderful way to save my current personalizations and reapply them to the new OS so that I don't have to totally reinvent the wheel?

I build my own systems and am comfortable doing whatever I need to do, but knowing up front what I will need to do would be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Richard
 

Last edited by a moderator:
Jimbo22

Jimbo22

Essential Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
5,035
#2
You could do a system image and see if that would work for you using Acronis, Marcum Reflect, Aoemi.
 

BlessYahowah

BlessYahowah

Senior Member
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
13
Thread Author #3
Thanks. I'll give that a shot. I always thought that system images were peculiar to each hardware configuration. At least, that's how it was at the huge corporation I used to work for before I retired. We had a different image of XP Professional for every model of Dell laptop and desktop there was (the place was exclusively Dell/Windows). But what the heck. The worst it can do is fail. I have all my data backed up on external USB and other systems, so I won't lose anything but time if imaging doesn't work.

I appreciate the idea and the quick response.
 

Sonny

Sonny

Fantastic Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
1,386
#4
I just built mine. Using a MSI motherboard and was able to do a clean install of Windows 8 without putting Windows 7 in first. It might have been because I also replaced my HDD at the same time.
 

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