Windows Proccessor swap, can windows handle it?

I have ordered a shiny set of new components, including a P5Q - E mobo, a 4870x2 graphics card and a C2D E8500 processor. I am currently using a AMD rig with a 64x2 5200 processor. When I install all the new components, will my 64 bit Vista distro be k' with the AMD to Intel transition, or will a re-install be in order?

Any help appreciated, Kthnx.

 

When ever switching motherboards it's always best to do a full re-install, just back up your stuff that you wan't to keep.

 

drivers issuses will cause BSOD!!!

 

Windows can easily handle a processor swap, i have done it many times with no ill effects, even increasing the number of cores. However, going to a different CPU manufacturer and installing a new motherboard WILL need a complete reformat.

 

After swapping motherboards, I've had a little bit of luck in the past avoiding a reinstall by going into device manager and removing every device, then installing the proper drivers after a restart. Unless you're in a pinch, though, I'm with these guys and I recommend you wipe/reinstall.

Note also that if you have a requires-activation copy of Windows (most home users do) then switching a processor (or likely motherboard) will invalidate your activation, requiring you to re-activate Windows. If you're lucky you can do it electronically, else they might make you call India to tell the guy that you only have that copy of Windows on one machine, to get the re-activation authorized.

 

^^ You can do it that way... but I've always found results to be unpredictable at best when dealing with a MAJOR hardware swap like that. I would strongly suggest a reformat, but so long as you're backed up first, it won't hurt to try the above (just count on it not working, and be happy if it does).

 

Switching processors does not invalidate your activation. There will be no need to re-activate at all.

Switching motherboards will and you would have to re-activate.

 

As a Windows n00b, can I install a copy of Windows and not loose my programs and data? If so, how would I do that?

 

re-installing windows will cause you to loose your current programs that are installed plus any data that you haven't backed up.

You must understand, re-installing windows is basically wiping the slate clean to start a fresh again.

 

Burnout is correct but reinstalling windows should not be a showstopper. I tend to regularly back up the data in "Documents and Settings" and not worry too much about programs as they can be reinstalled. Just be a little careful that your programs don't save data in their own directory.

 

You should reinstall windows, just to avoid the hassle, especially if you're a n00b You cannot make a copy of windows or anything, just be sure to save everything like these guys say and just make sure you have all your installations cds for any program you might want to install on the new windows

 

IIRC vista treats "old" vista installations a little differently to XP, in that it backs up everything it can in a folder called "WindowsOld" (or something along those lines). It leaves it in the main directory and then it can be opened via the fresh install.

However, the long and short is just do what everyone here has suggested.

1) Backup everything important
2) take out old hardware
3) install new hardware
4) pop your vista disc in and boot
5) follow the foolproof instructions

If you get stuck with anything come back here and someone will certainly be able to help

 

I swapped out a Q6600 and Asus P5N-32E-SLI for a Q6850extreme and a Evga 790i Ultra appart from having to load up the drivers for the board Windows (Vista 32bit) to my surprise was fine. I've decided now though to have a dabble at Vista 64 bit .. so a full re-install is imminent...
That brings about a question actually... will my saved / backed up games under Vista 32bit .. work under the new 64bit O/S? <scratches napper>

 

If you manually remove the saved date from the game directory and save it a pen drive or external HDD, then reinstall vista 64-bit, technically there should be no problems reinserting the save data aslong as you have installed the game.

If you find a problem finding the save directory, i might be because the game has yet to create such folder, so simply start the game, save some progress and then re-write the save data upon exiting the game.

 

Burnout thanks.

I am looking to install the new o/s on the raid set up, the third hdd I have is the back up disc and all games etc are saved to that, going off what you have said ...it should be saved to that and I may be lucky not to have to start all again.. mind you like thats a hardship huh .. Game on...

 

changing motherboards most of the time causes BSOD because of diffrent IDE/SATA controllers which will stop windows from booting. if it is the same IDE/SATA chipset then sometimes you can just remove all the devices and just install the new drivers.
buy your self an external HDD back up your stuff and reinstall. will work better and be quicker on a fresh install.

 

as most have said, theres ways, but they are hacks. to ensure an optimal performance, i would also suggest backup, and reinstall. especially since you are switching from amd to intel. there are different optimizations loaded for each processor type that may prove problematic. i am not sure if vista has it, but you may look for the sysprep utility and allows you to upgrade things without usually having to reinstall anything or reactivate windows. the way i've used it is technically also a hack since its not really what its for but... your other software on the other hand may be a different story. i had to reactivate photoshop after i upgraded my videocard for example... annoying.