Switching over motherboards.

[MKOdoric]

Hi Everyone,

I hope this is the right forum.

I've got the upgrade itch and am able to get a decent price on a 2500k and motherboard. What I'm currently running is an e8400. I don't want my current processor and motherboard to go to waste, so I want to transfer it over to my old man's computer.

He is running an old P4. I'm wondering if it would be possible to simply take my motherboard with processor and ram, and just drop it into his case, using all his old parts. I know everything will all hook up, the only issue I have is whether he'll be able to use his current version of Windows XP. He has some old programs on there that aren't compatible with 64-bit Windows 7, and also aren't available anymore, so he wants to keep his current version of windows. Likewise I'm wondering if my current rig will have any issue with Windows 7 if I were to install a new motherboard, processor, and ram.

I've read around about how OEM versions of windows are only able to be installed onto one motherboard, but have also read how it doesn't really make any difference if you switching in a new motherboard. Would anybody be able to offer me some input into the matter? Thanks in advance!

 

[Matt1970]

Activation shouldn't be a problem, however you will have to format and reload windows any time a new motherboard with a different chipset/southbridge is installed.

 

[BoomerD]

It's highly unlikely that you'll get away without a reformat/reinstall of Windows.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=265026

 

[PreOmegaZero]

Assuming that install of Windows XP is either a single OEM (not Acer/Dell/HP/etc volume license OEM), or Volume License, you can convert it into an "XP Mode" VHD with a little research.

You can then perform a clean Windows 7 install (make sure to use the Windows 7 'Easy Transfer' Wizard to migrate Data/Profiles into a .MIG file), setup "XP Mode" and run the old XP setup in a VM (therefore giving you the ability to still run those old apps).

Likewise I'm wondering if my current rig will have any issue with Windows 7 if I were to install a new motherboard, processor, and ram.

Windows 7 is much easier to do this due to a very compatible SATA AHCI/RAID driver (and no longer needing specific HAL) that regardless of whether you are jumping from Intel-based board to AMD, it will at least boot into Windows 7.
Before attempting this, make sure you have the following:

1. A complete backup of your Windows 7 install (use Windows Backup to create a system image)
2. ALL the drivers for your new motherboard/hardware setup on a USB drive (this includes Chipset and SATA AHCI/RAID drivers