Windows win 7 upgrade + new mobo

Discussion in 'Software' started by blinkieleblind, 17 May 2010.

  1. blinkieleblind

    blinkieleblind Tings and such

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    Hi,

    i have the last remnants of a prebuilt system with an OEM copy of Vista 64 HP installed.
    i am about to tear the system apart to put the cpu on a new mobo and want to upgrade to win 7 in the process (i have student deal win 7 UPGRADE). my question is whether it is possible to (after backing up files) install windows 7 onto the old mobo+hdd and then change mobo's and install win 7 again with the same hdd? i.e what is the best method of upgrading to win 7 whilst upgrading my system at the same time? i have heard about the install onto a clean hdd but i don't have a blank hdd and find it a bit confusing (mind you, i have not read it properly).

    Taa.
     
    blinkieleblind, 17 May 2010
    #1
  2. thehippoz

    thehippoz What's a Dremel?

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    thehippoz, 19 May 2010
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  3. ianajones25

    ianajones25 What's a Dremel?

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    One solution might be to perform the upgrade and then run the sysprep tool which can be found in the sysprep folder in system32. Use the -oobe and -generalize options then turn your machine off. Change the mobo and turn everything back on again. This will effectively re-run the setup process on your machine (but a lot quicker) whilst leaving your programs and user accounts intact.
     
    ianajones25, 20 May 2010
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    thehippoz likes this.
  4. varkanoid

    varkanoid Professional Dribbler

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    bit confused by your method. Why would you want to use the old mobo to install windows 7 with the HDD then swap the motherboard and install it again ?

    Why not couple your HDD with the new mobo straight away and then install windows 7 ?

    Do you have the HDD partitioned ? What size is the HDD ? You could create a partition with Computer management/Disk Manager and backup your files to this (plus use the file and transfer settings wizard in programs/accessories/system tools) and put all your files in the partition, then install windows 7 as a fresh install to your main partition ?
     
    varkanoid, 21 May 2010
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  5. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    Yes it will work , but what you'll end up with is a big tangled mess of drivers from 2 installations and 2 lots of mobo drivers and an upgrade thrown in just to make matters worse. Then just to make matters even worse again, if you've got an OEM key it wont work on the new hardware.

    I would do the upgrade first, then do a full defrag and clean up, then ring microsoft for new activation key for when you transfer the HDD to new rig for when it refuses to activate.

    Then once you've got it all installed with the new mobo drivers etc you'll have to defrag and clean up again......Then it's finally time to play

    You really are making it hard for yourself doing it this way round!
    After that little lot I reckon the next post we see from you will be "Help my PC wont boot"....lol
     
    bulldogjeff, 21 May 2010
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