Changing motherboards

[ComradeBadger]

Right, it looks like I'm upgrading my motherboard, so what impact does that have on Windows?

Will I need to format hard drives and stuff? ;\

 

[MiccyNarc]

You'll at least need to reinstall. Formatting might be a good idea if you haven't done it in a while.

I didn't know that Windows doesn't recognize new motherboards, so I get a real fright when I stuck my current one in there and it wouldn't boot, heh.

 

[baron insig]

most likely no,

windows will detect u have a new mobo and say yada yada must check to see if this is still a legal version, it goes off and does that and shud comeback perfectly fine.

but imho i woudl reinstall windows because it will have less of a chance to bugger up and hey a clean windows install is always the best!

 

[WySiWyG]

You should reinstall every now and again anyways.. Back it all up and start over, thats what I would do.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Problem being, I can't back up some stuff :|

That's the only problem

 

[WySiWyG]

Hmmm what massive files? Borrow a mates dvd r, if you can..?

 

[[Matt]]

How many hard drives do you have? If you have more than one just back up stuff to the secondary. You only need to format the primary drive with windows on. If not you could get hold of partition magic and split the drive in two. Once thats done back up the files to the secondary partition and format and install to the primary partition.

 

[The Hulk]

It's rather simple to change out the motherboard, abit time consuming.
You put the new one in, add CPU, heatsink, RAM, psi/agp cards, and all the pins for the LEDs, etc.
You can use the same hard drive with the same laod that you had previously, but make sure you have the CD/DVD that comes with the motherboard for the drivers (chipset, USB, etc.). Windows might or might not prompt you for the CD for the drivers. If not, make sure to update them regardless.

 

[WySiWyG]

How many hard drives do you have? If you have more than one just back up stuff to the secondary. You only need to format the primary drive with windows on. If not you could get hold of partition magic and split the drive in two. Once thats done back up the files to the secondary partition and format and install to the primary partition.

or do that.. :]

 

[ComradeBadger]

I have 2 HDDs.. but I can't back programs up on the secondary can I?

 

[[Matt]]

I have 2 HDDs.. but I can't back programs up on the secondary can I?

Why not? It helps if you have to original install exe files though...

 

[ComradeBadger]

I don't have the install.exe files.. my dad took the Microsoft Word CD's to his office :| bastard

I've had problems with partitionmagic before.. so I'm a little wary of it :|

 

[duffers20]

you may have to reinstall windows, i didn't when i upgraded my mobo and cpu but then i may have just been lucky that it wasn't too different

 

[ComradeBadger]

I'm going from Socket A to Socket 754. I was hoping to to have to reinstall windows ;(