Cable Forum - View Single Post - How does Windows 7 handle Motherboard and CPU replacement?

MovedGoalPosts · 23-09-2011, 10:07

To get back to the OP's question. If it is a retail version of Windows then you can transfer it to the new machine. If it is an OEM version then changing the motherboard, unless it was a like for like replacement (in his instance it isn't because he's even changing the CPU manufacturer), then the OEM licence becomes untransferrable as it is viewed as a new machine. The changing motherboard in any case would normally have triggered a call to microsoft, even if like for like.

With such big changes to the system, I'd always be expecting to reload wiindows rather than hoping for the best.

Of course there may be ways round the OEM licence restriction, but technically that is piracy.

But do you know it's the motherboard / CPU at fault. Could it be the PSU if there is no signs of life? And how well would Windows 7 run on a P4 based CPU?

23-09-2011, 10:07	#15
MovedGoalPosts Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 127.0.0.1 Age: 61 Posts: 15,868	Re: How does Windows 7 handle Motherboard and CPU replacement? To get back to the OP's question. If it is a retail version of Windows then you can transfer it to the new machine. If it is an OEM version then changing the motherboard, unless it was a like for like replacement (in his instance it isn't because he's even changing the CPU manufacturer), then the OEM licence becomes untransferrable as it is viewed as a new machine. The changing motherboard in any case would normally have triggered a call to microsoft, even if like for like. With such big changes to the system, I'd always be expecting to reload wiindows rather than hoping for the best. Of course there may be ways round the OEM licence restriction, but technically that is piracy. But do you know it's the motherboard / CPU at fault. Could it be the PSU if there is no signs of life? And how well would Windows 7 run on a P4 based CPU?