Will Vista work if I change failed motherboard on my ACER E700?

A

ayfone

New Member
I have a Vista Home Premium loaded on a ACER e700 desktop.

Motherboard failed. I want to change it keeping everything else in the case, but I don't know if I need to buy a new a operating system.

I remember while ago when i did that for another computer, i guess it was xp, started right after mobo change, install new drivers for the new mobo and that was it. But i guess it was a retail version of xp on a custom built pc.

Will I need to but new operating system after changing motherboard on ACER E700, or my vista will install new drivers of the new mobo, and is that it?
 
If you replace it with the exact same motherboard, then you'll have no issues. However if you put in a totally different motherboard then legally you would have to buy a new OS as you won't be able to reuse the oem license from Acer anymore.
 
johnb35, thank you for your reply.

I cannot change it with exact same mb because there is no way of contacting Acer support before prepaying for a phone call or contact to Acer. Even if I do, I am sure they will do their best to charge me at least 5 times more than a newer mobo that i could buy from newegg or somewhere... plus support fee.

My question is what will happen when I plug everything to new mobo and fire it up for the first time? Will computer boot? What will happen afterwards?

Thanks..
 
Most likely the computer won't boot into windows as all the hardware is different now. If it boots into windows then it will ask for reactivation and you won't be able to since its a different motherboard. Since you have an OEM license from ACER, you will have to purchase a new operating system.
 
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