Hassle Free CPU Swap?

VideJoe wrote on 6/10/2009, 2:21 PM

I want to replace my Duo Core CPU with a Quad Core, but does that mean I have to reactivate Windows and my (Sony) applications because of other machine ID, or is this a hassle free operation?
I built several new systems but never replaced a CPU on an existing system.

Thanks, Dries.

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 6/10/2009, 2:40 PM

Chances are you'll have to reactivate Windows and perhaps have to speak to someone on the phone. But you'll never know until you try it. Some hardware changes are ignored, others set off the alarm bells.

Re-registering your Sony apps if it is necessary should be hassle-free.

blink3times wrote on 6/10/2009, 4:04 PM

Get a disk imager program and do a disk image of your present setup, then change out your cpu and see what happens... if you don't like it then put the old cpu back in and reload your disk image. All will be as nothing ever happened.

JJKizak wrote on 6/10/2009, 4:26 PM

I just upgraded from an Intel Q6600 to a Q9650 in Vista 64 bit and everything went slick. No problems at all.
JJK

farss wrote on 6/10/2009, 5:48 PM

The main parameter used to derive the code that tells activation if the program is running in the same computer is the network controllers MAC address as this is globally unique.
So one simple trick is to buy a network controller and simply keep that as you swap CPUs, mobos and HDDs. I never tried this myself however no one has so far found it not too work.

Bob.

srode wrote on 6/10/2009, 7:00 PM

I've swapped CPUS a couple times - you shouldn't need to do anything at all - might need to change some things in the BIOs but the OS and software should work without skipping a beat. The motherboard is the one thing that will almost always require a phone call to allow using the OS again - you are better off reloading windows at that point too IMHO

UlfLaursen wrote on 6/10/2009, 9:34 PM

I have done it once too from 2 to 4 cores and I only needed to upgrade bios before - nothing else.

/Ulf

musicvid10 wrote on 6/10/2009, 9:49 PM

This is all good news for the OP -- I just wish I had a motherboard worth upgrading with a new CPU.

I hang on to my boxes long enough that when it's time to upgrade, I need the whole kit-n-kaboodle ([u]don't] start on the origin of this term again -- it's been covered here before!)

VideJoe wrote on 6/10/2009, 10:04 PM

Thanks, I will give it a shot.
Instead of making an image I use Acronis Migrate Easy. I always keep a spare HD which is an exact copy of my Primary HD.