Upgrading MB soon and I want to keep all data

[Anarchist420]

I'm going to have to get a new Win7 64 license. so here are my questions:
I want to keep all my data, but I don't want to have to back it up to several flash drives and then have to unzip/reinstall everything. What's the easiest way to do that? Could I install a 3rd HDD before I upgrade to new mb and transfer all my data to that hdd even if I don't install an OS to it? What other options do I have?

 

[Coup27]

if you have 2 hdds in there already you could move everything off hdd1 onto hdd2 then format hdd1 when you reinstall.

or install hdd3, backup everything from hdd1 and hdd2 over SATA (which will be FAR quicker than USB flash) onto hdd3, then remove hdd3, format both when you reinstall and go from there.

You will have to reinstall everything after you install windows fresh onto your new setup so it will only be the data you have to copy back over. this will prob be the quickest thing to do of the whole process.

NB- Your situation is why i purchased the retail copy of windows 7 home premium. If upgrade my cpu & mobo later on, i can transfer my licence to my new rig.

 

[Binky]

I'd try to use the existing windows installation before reinstalling from scratch. I have used the "repair reinstall" trick several times with about 80% success, but I don't think I've tried this in Win7. Acronis True Image also has the "dissimilar hardware" option with the plus pack.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=replace+motherboard+without+reinstalling+windows+7

Make a full backup first. Keeping an existing installation is always prone to failure.

I'd also try to re-activate Win7 before going out and buying a new copy.

 

[Anarchist420]

Thanks guys: ) Anyway, I'm probably just going to buy a full version so I can always use it down the road w/o any problems.