Can I move my windows install to a new computer?

[emzie]

Current computer is an HP build from about 3 years ago, but the manufacturer's locks on overclocking, and the processor compatibility is running me into a bit of a brick wall. As I understand it, if I were to replace the motherboard and processor, I can't just plug in the master drive and expect Windows to boot as normal. I'd have to reinstall. So the first question is this...

Computer came with Vista. Will a factory wipe, followed by a reinstall of the Windows 7 upgrade work?

Second question. Is there any way to do this with a new hard drive as well? The drive is already formatted with the recovery on D, could I, during the recovery process, have windows installed to a new harddrive?

 

[Turner]

Current computer is an HP build from about 3 years ago, but the manufacturer's locks on overclocking, and the processor compatibility is running me into a bit of a brick wall. As I understand it, if I were to replace the motherboard and processor, I can't just plug in the master drive and expect Windows to boot as normal. I'd have to reinstall. So the first question is this...

Computer came with Vista. Will a factory wipe, followed by a reinstall of the Windows 7 upgrade work?

It should. Vista upgrades to 7 pretty easily, from what I understand.

Second question. Is there any way to do this with a new hard drive as well? The drive is already formatted with the recovery on D, could I, during the recovery process, have windows installed to a new harddrive?

I think so.... have to see it to make sure.

 

[Maniacal]

The upgrade to Windows 7 is very easy indeed and it even creates a back up folder on the Win7 install with all your files from Vista though I recommend backing up what you want to save before that just in case

 

[emzie]

The upgrade to Windows 7 is very easy indeed and it even creates a back up folder on the Win7 install with all your files from Vista though I recommend backing up what you want to save before that just in case

Yeah, saved my ass when I upgraded to Windows 7 on here last year. The issue here is once I change motherboards, it will require I do a factory wipe to get Vista running with the new hardware. So there won't be much to back up.

 

[warpus]

I would recommending installing 7 from scratch as opposed to upgrading. Maybe things have changed in the last couple years, but I have had bad experiences upgrading windows..

 

[emzie]

I would recommending installing 7 from scratch as opposed to upgrading. Maybe things have changed in the last couple years, but I have had bad experiences upgrading windows..

It would require buying a new copy of Windows 7. I may end of doing this anyway, so I'm not relying on this slower HDD, but I'd prefer to save money if I have the option.

 

[Furiey]

Is it a full version of Windows or an OEM version? I have not tried myself but have heard of difficulties with HP OEM versions installing on new machines.

On using the recovery option I would guess it would restore to the initial sale state for the HP hardware rather than do a clean install.

 

[Mise]

Yeah, when I upgraded my mobo/cpu, I couldn't use the same XP CD-key that I had. But that might have been because it was an ex-business desktop, so maybe home desktop OEM CD-keys are more lenient.

 

[emzie]

Is it a full version of Windows or an OEM version? I have not tried myself but have heard of difficulties with HP OEM versions installing on new machines.

On using the recovery option I would guess it would restore to the initial sale state for the HP hardware rather than do a clean install.

The Vista would be OEM, and my Windows 7 is an upgrade version (I think would have to go find the box). I was afraid that might be an issue D:

 

[Furiey]

With some upgrade versions you don't have to install the previous OS, just have the disc with the valid code. That may let you get away with it but it may not. My Win 7 install was with a full copy of Win 7, when I upgraded ME to XP I did a clean install on a new disc and just had to insert the old disc and code, but it was a full ME not OEM. Sounds like you could have a problem, I just don't know. At the worst you may have to get a new OEM OS when you buy the new motherboard.

 

[Souron]

If you can, you should try to get vista installed on the new hardisk, then upgrade it to Windows 7. I don't think the upgrade CD will work on a empty disk, but if you put some semblence of Vista on it, it should upgrade it properly. At the worst, it won't hurt.