New motherboard for the desktop

I just bought a ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO motherboard and a AMD Phenom II X4 Processor for my computer. I was wondering if i swap them out with the old motherboard, is their anyway to not have to buy a new OS for my system. Right now i running Vista Home Basic?

asked Jul 13 '10 at 13:08

crazykid1
121●36●38●41

6 Answers:

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0	if you have a OEM license, then there is nothing you can do about it, retail licenses you can usually activate 3 times (i think) answered Jul 13 '10 at 13:21 roguekiller23231 4.2k●72●104●142

0	Would this be the only thing i need to buy? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 answered Jul 13 '10 at 14:19 crazykid1 121●36●38●41

If you want to switch to 7, then yes, buy a new OS. But, if your current one is fine, you can just swap the motherboard and CPU. You will have to reactivate Windows but everything will still be on your hard drive.

Edit: Are you going from an Intel processor to AMD? If so, there are some things you will have to do to get it to work right. AMD to AMD is fine though.

answered Jul 13 '10 at 15:02

Josh_M
2.7k●6●15●51

edited Jul 13 '10 at 15:03

If you're talking about running Sysprep real quick, I'd do that anyway.

Sysprep puts Windows into a state similar to when it was on the install media, making a motherboard swap far more likely to succeed without issues than just dumping it on the new hardware.

Also be sure to uninstall any drivers associated with your current hardware, ESPECIALLY disk controller drivers.

(Jul 13 '10 at 15:20) Leapo

Yea Im going from a Intel Celeron to a AMD Phenom II, Also my eMachines computer never came with a reinstall disc

answered Jul 13 '10 at 15:52

crazykid1
121●36●38●41

Do you know anybody else with a Vista install disc? Any Vista installation disc will work because every disc contains all of the software in every edition but it will only install the features of the edition you own. Just make sure you put in your product key to have it install your version or select the correct version if you don't put in your key.

(Jul 13 '10 at 15:59) Josh_M

Well if i did that wouldnt that screw with the person with that Product Key?

(Jul 13 '10 at 16:05) crazykid1

No. Product keys are not associated with the discs (Usually). The product key is just an algorithm they use to determine that it is a legit copy. If you misspell the key, it will instantly recognize because of that algorithm.

(Jul 13 '10 at 16:43) Josh_M

you can use the serial number thats on the side of the case, just get an OEM unmodified iso of the windows install.

Many people who I build gaming PC's for, I will often just use their current case and install a new CPU, motherboard, memory and videocard and power supply and everything will work well. PS the preinstalled OS that you get with a new prebuilt system is different than the one on the side of the case, and that serial can only be activated once

A legit windows cd key can only be used on one system at any given time, if the same serial appears on 2 systems then you will get a WGA warning.

All you need is a unmodified OEM windows vista cd iso and your serial number from the side of the case will work.

answered Jul 13 '10 at 16:33

Razor512
15.6k●34●80●242

Well ill problay have some trouble finding the disc idk anyone that really has one

answered Jul 13 '10 at 16:48

crazykid1
121●36●38●41

You really only need it in case something goes wrong with swapping the parts. Usually a repair install will fix whatever problems you might encounter but if you do everything right, you shouldn't need to do anything except reactivate which does not require the disc. Just research about swapping Intel CPUs for AMD, I am sure that someone has a good list of how to do it.

(Jul 13 '10 at 16:54) Josh_M

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