Upgrade processor without creating problems?

I’d like to upgrade my processor from a dual-core to a quad-core. Is it possible to swap out the old processor with a new one without creating problems with the current installation of Windows or would I need to do a clean installation after upgrading?

As long as it fits in the Cpu socket on the motherboard it shouldn't be a problem.  but I remember the one time I changed video cards and windows update stopped working, I had to call up Microsoft and have them reactivate my key. 

I suggest you google your mobo model and find an official list of processors it supports.  If you have a really old chipset it may not work the right way.  For example I won an AMD 965 AM3 cpu from newegg over christmass, but I only have an am2 socket mobo.  It works...kind of.  I found out that the nvidia 570 sli chipset does not like some of the phenoms.  But after all, that came out in 2006 before quadcores were even around (I think).  So yeah, a new motherboard is next on my list of upgrades.

I went from an Athlon X2->Athlon II 3-core on a fresh (night before) Win7 install and the OS didn't bitch at all about it. Easy breezy. The places I poked around said mobo or other parts can set that activation trigger off but no one reported a proc swap ever doing it. Enjoy!

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Just let me know what motherboard you end up going with.. I'm kinda curious, as I have AMD my self right now

I have an AM2 board so I have a few choices with the AM2 Phenom quad-core processors that will work. I know you can't just take a hard drive with a Windows installation and attach it as the primary drive in a different computer without having issues. My primary concern was having a fully compatible processor but having Windows freak out anyway.

No problems should happen.

Check your mobo site and you might be able to get a new chip; I'm still on my good ol' AM2 board and with a BIOS update it took an Athlon II triple core (AM3) just fine. I'd uninstall the dual-core optimizer (shows up in add/remove apps) beforehand to be on the safe side, too.

So you are running your AM3 chip on HT 2.0 then.

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Well I'm probably going to get this one or something similar to it once I have some spare cash just because it's on the cheaper side and isn't a micro-ATX.  A friend of mine got the the AM3/ddr3 version of that board with a 955.  The main problem with the 965 is it's 125w spec and it seems that it isn't compatible with a lot of older chipsets.  There are a lot of boards out there that only support up to 95w processors.  From what I've gathered, nvidia chipsets of 8000 and higher and the amd 700 sets can handle the newest amd cpus regardless of socket.

I guess the main thing is you just need to check out the manufacturer's website.