Rebuilding Computers. Need to Reinstall Windows?

[geokilla]

Ok so I'm going to be rebuilding at least 2 computers and I need some help. First, I'm going to change my Core 2 setup to a AMD Phenom II setup. Only the CPU and motherboard will be changed. For simplicity's sake, I'd like to avoid having to reinstall Windows. Is this possible?

Next, I'm going to rebuild my sister's AMD Athlon X2 setup and replace it with a Phenom II setup as well. This time, the ATI X850XT will be gone as well since the motherboard has integrated graphics. Again, can I avoid having to reinstall Windows?

I understand that there may be some slight driver conflicts, so reinstalling Windows is the best route. However, if I uninstall the drivers properly and run driver cleaner, then all should be well correct?

[FlyingFish]

Computer 1) You'll probably have to reinstall since you're switching from Intel to AMD. I made a switch last year and windows was quite slow as a result. Although it will work, but it would be worthwhile to reinstall.
Computer 2) As long as the motherboard is the same you won't have to reinstall anything.

[jcmaz]

I'm not too sure but when i did a motherboard swap (Gigabyte 770T to a Gigabyte 785GT), I didn't have to reinstall windows. But i did have to update the drivers (obviously)..

[geokilla]

Motherboard is different as I'll be going from a ASUS M2N-E to a Gigabyte GA-MA785-UD3H on my sister's rig.

I hate rebuilding...

[Caldezar]

What ver. of Windows? Windows 7 is a LOT more forgiving as far as hardware swapping goes. However, my rule has always been: "if the motherboard is changed, reinstall Windows". Almost anything else you can negotiate around relatively easily; but there's too many hassles involved to justify NOT reinstalling when swapping MB's.

Just my 2 cents anyway...

[Perineum]

Windows XP would most likely require a repair install, but after that would work perfectly.

Windows 7 I would expect to see it boot up and just work....

[DCCV44.2223]

Originally Posted by geokilla

First, I'm going to change my Core 2 setup to a AMD Phenom II setup. Only the CPU and motherboard will be changed. For simplicity's sake, I'd like to avoid having to reinstall Windows. Is this possible?

Unless you have transferable Windows licenses, MSFT's interpretation of the EULA is that a new license is required when you change mobo and cpu. Though some may interpretation said EULA differently...

If the systems and HDDs are more than 3 years old, I'd tend to put in new HDDs and reinstall everything. The newer higher density/platter HDDs will be substantially faster, and you'll also clear out all the junk that's been left behind after the years of usage, and there's a smaller chance of failure (though HDDs are pretty reliable nowadays), anyways, HDDs are cheap.

[grinder]

how did it go Geokilla? did you reload windows or try to fight the operating systems with major hardware changes?

[geokilla]

I was able to run Windows fine, though it didn't take me too long to reinstall it.

I switched from Intel to AMD on the same hard drive, and everything ran fine surprisingly. I was even able to come onto the forums and make a post or two haha. However it was buggy and slow, so formatting was the way to go.

[grinder]

thanks for the follow up. The time it takes to re-load win7/vista these days it's by far the easier and most effective way to go. Trying to avoid re-loading the OS is generally... um.. inefficient.