Do I need to reinstall windows 7 when changing motherboards?

velvta · Post by **velvta** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:31 pm

Just wondering what the scoop is on that and if theres ways around it. I really dont WANT to if I can avoid it. Someone mentioned changing to the IDE/SATA mode to Compatible until the latest IDE drivers get installed via the OS, then change back to AHCI if I have it, wondering what anyone here has to say about it all.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:28 am

I've always preferred a fresh clean install. Especially if it's a gaming computer and you want fast stable performance.
But I have moved a hard drive from an old computer to a new computer a few times over the years. It usually works fine. Once in a while you may end up with a computer that will crash to desektop while doing gaming, or may reboot out of the blue once a month, or have some quirk while shutting down.

Windows 7 is a bit more tolerant of it than prior OS's were.

Some things to improve your success.....before powering down and removing the old motherboard:
*Download all the latest drivers necessary for your new computer...video, motherboard/chipset, sound, NIC, drive controllers, etc.
*Uninstall all drivers for your current video/motherboard/sound/NIC/controllers/etc (leave drive/sata/raid controller if new system has the same one)

Power down, move drive to new computer. If the drive controller is in the same family, should be able to leave it in default setting in BIOS. If not, yeah...setting to legacy mode until you get the drivers in. Or sometimes you can install the new controller drivers before you shut down the computer on the old motherboard for the last time..some drivers will install without checking for their hardware first.

Boot up...Windows will go apesh|t with detecting new hardware, install all new drivers. Check device manager after a reboot...may take 2-3 reboots until the dust settles.
WPA will most likely kick off...just cruise through it.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:40 am

easy answer... yes reinstall.

This is for many reasons cat covered the majority.

velvta · Post by **velvta** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:04 pm

OK I'm not sure how exactly Win 7 works, but if I do a reinstall, what data will I lose off the partition? Not sure if it just reinstalls system files and also deletes data files or what the deal is.

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:38 pm

Choose the Upgrade option if available. It will save all of your old data to a windows.old folder. Just move your stuff from that folder to your My Docs, Music, etc.