Stupid question of the year- upgrade mobo, new install needed?

[ohforfs]

Hi,

My system died (it was a z68 sandybridge) and I bought a z170 mobo and i7-6700k.

I just need it to work over Christmas. Can I get away with just building the new system and plugging the old drives in and hoping it updates itself?

I know this may sound extremely shoddy, but the reason is I only need it to work like this for a short time. I am getting a Samsung 950 pro in January and *then* is the time I want to do the reinstall. I don't want to be installing twice.

I am wondering if I just build it, plug the drives in and go will it boot to windows? What do you think?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[cyclohexane]

Probably not? Windows keys are tied to the mobo, so you may need to reactivate your windows.

 

[ohforfs]

That's not an issue - will just let it re-authorize.

 

[LTC8K6]

Make sure the SATA setting is the same.

I doubt it will just boot right up, though. Too many differences in the drivers.

I think you will indeed have trouble with activation.

Interesting test though.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hmm. Intel chipset to Intel chipset migrations, are pretty nearly trouble-free, in my experience. You could try it, it wouldn't hurt (much).

 

[FlippedBit]

I did just this recently. I migrated from an Asus P6T Deluxe w/ i7-920 to a Gigabyte Z170X-UD5 w/ i7-6700k. Actually, I went to a Z170X-UD3 first, which was returned, and then ended up with the -UD5.

In my case, Windows booted up fine but I needed to install the new motherboard drivers in order to get all the devices recognized in Control Panel. Also, I did not have network access until I installed the Intel NIC drivers (my previous mobo had Realtek NICs). So you'll either need the driver CD or you will need to put the NIC drivers onto a USB stick before hand as you might not be able to get online.

Windows 7 needed to be reactivated, but it was painless. It just went online and did it (I have a retail copy of Win7 if it matters... guessing the OEM installs do the same).

The Windows registration only needed to happen once, when I upgraded initially to the Z170X-UD3. After I swapped it out for the -UD5, the same activation was still valid. I guess that the activation is tied to the chipset model and not to a unique serial number.

 

[XavierMace]

Personally I would do the clean install now, then just clone it to the 950 when you get it.

 

[ohforfs]

Some good replies folks - thanks

My other reason for wanting at least 1 boot into the old system is that I need to get stuff off it that I had not backed up.

Thanks

 

[VirtualLarry]

Some good replies folks - thanks

My other reason for wanting at least 1 boot into the old system is that I need to get stuff off it that I had not backed up.

Thanks

Boot off of a Linux LiveDVD / LiveUSB. Try Ubuntu.com or LinuxMint.com . Plug in another USB stick or USB HDD to copy the files to.