• I'm about to install Windows 7, but...
    9 replies, posted
...I need to ask a big question. This is an upgrade disk that I purchased. I'm upgrading from Vista. I bought the 3-pack because I installed 7 on my parent's PC's too. I'm putting this on my Gateway FX4710 that I've heavily modified (new PSU, new Graphics card, new tower, more RAM), and the only thing that's holding me back from OC'ing the CPU is the Gateway's Motherboard. I have in my possession an ASUS P5N-D mobo that I tried to install in my PC a few months ago. I used the Vista disk that the Gateway came with and everything was running smoothly until Vista asked me to enter a product key (the CD didn't come with one, so I'm guessing that there are drivers on the Gateway Vista disk that check for original hardware and verify the product key automatically). So I had to take the motherboard out, put the original back in, and re-install Vista again. Now that I'm upgrading to Windows 7 with a retail upgrade disk, not an OS disk that came with a pre-built that has tons of proprietary crap, I'm wondering if it would be possible to switch motherboards before Windows 7 installation. This is important because the upgrade disks check the previous version of Windows to make sure that you qualify for the upgrade. I'm wondering if I switch motherboards before the upgrade if the Windows 7 Upgrade setup will be able to see my previous version of Windows. I don't want to deal with switching out motherboards twice in one night.
I recommend you switch motherboards before you install, but wait for other opinions. your situation is a bit different.
Bump. I'm not really in any rush, so I'll wait for a few more answers.
Is there any reason it can't be switched after you install Win7? and I believe there's been a few people who have changed hardware and had windows whinge at them... they fixed it by calling Microsoft.. Maybe with a picture and proof card written..
[QUOTE=Mokkan13;26401827]Is there any reason it can't be switched after you install Win7? and I believe there's been a few people who have changed hardware and had windows whinge at them... they fixed it by calling Microsoft.. Maybe with a picture and proof card written..[/QUOTE] Usually you just call the automated activation service and it'll do it without any questions. If that fails and you have to talk to someone, tell them you upgraded something and they'll do it without any additional questions, as long as you don't do it 10 times in a month or something like that.
[QUOTE=Mokkan13;26401827]Is there any reason it can't be switched after you install Win7? and I believe there's been a few people who have changed hardware and had windows whinge at them... they fixed it by calling Microsoft.. Maybe with a picture and proof card written..[/QUOTE] OK, so upgrade to 7 first, then install new motherboard. I'll give it a whirl tonight. [QUOTE={ABK}AbbySciuto;26402833]Usually you just call the automated activation service and it'll do it without any questions. If that fails and you have to talk to someone, tell them you upgraded something and they'll do it without any additional questions, as long as you don't do it 10 times in a month or something like that.[/QUOTE] Hoo, boy. I hope that it doesn't come down to that, but if it does, whatever. Thanks for your help guys.
I've heard it's not bad if you call, you just say that you upgraded your mobo, and they give you a new activation code. The idea is that people were cloning hard drives and distributing those, so when it detects a huge hardware change, it deactivates itself.
Thanks, guys. You all have been helpful. I appreciate the advice. :keke:
[QUOTE=nicatronTg;26403896]I've heard it's not bad if you call, you just say that you upgraded your mobo, and they give you a new activation code. The idea is that people were cloning hard drives and distributing those, so when it detects a huge hardware change, it deactivates itself.[/QUOTE] I don't think the change had to even be that huge.. I think I read somewhere that a guy got a new Gpu and a new Psu and windows flipped out at him for that :v: and OP, if you have to call microsoft, the robot's not gonna yell :v: and I've found the actual people to be pretty nice and helpful
I upgraded to 7, but the motherboard switch is going to have to wait. I'm much to busy atm to perform computer surgery. It'll be done eventually. Like, within a few days.
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