Groovedude Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I know i know that is really lazy, im in a rush and need to swap motherboard and cpu in one of my desktop machines it runs Win7 Pro. is there anyway i can change motherboard and cpu, without reinstalling? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Overlord Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 yes I've done it, you might need to go into safe mode and let windows reconfigure some stuff but it can be done. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torolol Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 but some installed program might be DRM tied with CPU & Motherboard serial numbers (such as Office 2013), so ... The Evil Overlord 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xahid Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 yea, it just required motherboard drivers (which Windows 7 will prolly have) So, you are safe to go. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKAngel Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 depends on if ur swapping platforms i tried and it just bluescreened Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522928 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Overlord Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 but some installed program might be DRM tied with CPU & Motherboard serial numbers (such as Office 2013), so ... Good point but I have office, (a crazy expensive suite I had to buy additionally) didn't have a problem with it with the new hardware.... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovedude Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 trial and error then :p +Mirumir 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Overlord Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 trial and error then :p Mostly...I can only speak for myself, maybe I just got lucky, (who knows) but all I had was a restart in safe mode, let windows start, restart, it went to windows update, did some other stuff, and I'm still using it. (although it's time to upgrade again for me) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phouchg Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 If Windows refuses to boot at all, Paragon Rescue Disk (P2P Adjust OS option) can help. It can't do crap to RAID resets, but otherwise removes all insistent drivers. Unfortunately, it also costs. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522948 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_s Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 It is possible but to be honest, I would advise against it. If you want a properly running machine build it properly. In the long run you will be happier with the results. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595522956 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPreston Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 On Windows 8 you can do this as long as you don't switch from x86 to x64 or x64 to x86 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595523006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgsdfwerwer Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 If you wanted to do it properly, you could hit sysprep, shut down, replace components, then reboot. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595523014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekrosoft13 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 done it many times on vista, 7, server 2008, 2008 R2 and few times on 8 and server 2012, it works. better then spending few weeks reinstalling apps. basically what I do is, before chaning the board I uninstall all drivers, especially for video, storage controllers, motherboard, what I can't uninstall in add/remove programs I uninstall though device manager. shut down, switch the board/cpu and reboot. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595529348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre S. Veteran Posted February 19, 2013 Veteran Share Posted February 19, 2013 Recently I just took the OS hard drive from an old computer, put it in a newer one, and it just worked. Windows installed all the drivers, rebooted, and everything was fine and dandy. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595529402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mduren2445 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I have done it before. it will be hit or miss if it works...if windows could find all the drivers to make it run but before you do anything somehow backup the hard drive before you try! Just in case windows says nope! ain't going to happen! and crashes. :woot: btw are you changing board and cpu with the same thing? If so no probs but ottherwise good luck Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595529424 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_s Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Did it work? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595530906 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gary7 Subscriber² Posted February 19, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted February 19, 2013 You may have to Call MS to activate it unless it is the same board and such. I did it, takes about 2 minutes Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595531118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noir Angel Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I wouldn't really recommend it to be honest. Whilst Windows can reconfigure itself for new hardware profiles, I have tended to find it still leaves the OS somewhat crash prone and unstable, even if you uninstall all your drivers first. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595531226 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted February 20, 2013 Veteran Share Posted February 20, 2013 In the xp days that would cause a blue screen. I have not changed a system completely with a windows 7 install, so I can't say for certain. I can tell you that by running sysprep it will take all of the hardware settings out and require you to re-enter your key, which will cause a reactivation. Running sysprep will not require you to reinstall windows entirely (this is how to properly image windows onto another computer with all of your software and settings in tact) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1136628-can-i-change-motherboard-cpu-without-reinstalling-windows/#findComment-595531508 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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