Motherboard swap with Windows XP

[R1Ted]

I am putting in a new motherboard and was wondering if I need to re-format my hard drive and re-load Windows XP, or will it just detect the new hardware and set it up? I did it a couple of years ago with Windows 98 and I had to do a complete reinstall. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[frank5]

Most will say that a clean install is in order. Personally, I always try to get away with letting the m\b redetect all the drivers etc. and see if I can get away with it. If there is any sign of subsequent problems, then I reformat and clean install. I have gotten away with doing it the cheap way sometimes. Winxp has alot of updated drivers for newer hardware,but not alot of drivers for older hardware . If your other components are ancient, this could be a problem.
It doesn't hurt to try the first way, I probably will get some disagreement on this. If you do, make sure you back up your important data first, as though you planned on doing a clean install.

[BipolarBill]

I'll second that motion. Try the "easy" way first. Unplug all USB devices during the switch/detection.

[Balthazor]

I recently swapped from a VIA board to an Intel 850 Rambus board, and XP booted up without a hitch. In fact, one would never have guessed that there had been any changes at all. Well, at least that would be the case were it not for the fact that the Windows activation wouldn't allow me to log onto my system without reactivating, which of course meant another phone call to Microsoft. Pretty soon those folks are going to know me on a first-name basis.

[dmoltrup]

I've been dealing with Microsoft Product Activation for about a couple of years now. I have FrontPage 2000, which always requires me to call in, because I've been leasing computers and switching models quite often. When you install the product and try automatic registration, it doesn't let it go through because I've been unlucky enough to get a different hash each time. :(

I can't believe how quick and easy it is, though. Even if I WERE pirating software, I don't think they would second-guess it. They just ask for the "challenge" code, and read back the activation. It's been that simple each time.

[Balthazor]

You're right about that. I've been surprised just how painless it is. The first time I was half expecting to catch some flak from the woman when she asked me why I was reinstalling XP and my only answer was "uh, because I felt like it". But instead, she just said "ok" and that was that.

I just hope that the folks at MS understand that many of us like to tinker, screw things up mightily, and reinstall. Over and over again. Because I've been a pretty loyal Microsoft customer, but the day I'm accused of pirating my store-bought copy of XP is the day I seriously consider Linux. But so far, so good.

[Qranger]

AMD recommends a complete reinstall in order for SSE to be properly utilized. SSE is new to the AMD CPUs; only XP CPUs have it. But if you're going P4 route, or want to try anyway, then go to WindowsReinstall site, they have a detailed tutorial with several methods to do this safely.

CHANGING MOTHERBOARDS & KEEPING WINDOWS - Index:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/other/motherboard/index.htm

Study both the Windows2000 and Windows XP procedures.

I prefer solution 7, which I've used for Windows 98 (don't have XP yet, waiting for service pack#2): Create a new Hardware Profile; Reboot to redetect (This is a non-destructive alternative to deleting the enum registry key or deleting devices in device manager).

Basically you create a 2nd hardware profile, then shut down computer and change MoBos. Upon startup, when it asks which hardware profile to use, choose "none of the above," forcing Windows to create a new hardware profile and redetect all the hardware. Follow the preaction procedures they recommend, backup data, load all drivers and WinXP CD files on harddrive for easy access, etc.

A quote from the intro: "Microsoft support articles are effectively (almost completely) silent on the subject of adapting an installed operating system to a different motherboard...If Microsoft has no recommended procedure because it finds that Windows adapts poorly to a motherboard swap (and they can’t therefore recommend a procedure other than a fresh Windows reinstall), then the Windows operating systems needs to be improved.

"Changing a motherboard and moving a hard drive to new hardware are not unusual occurrences. These common events should not require that Windows and all applications be reinstalled."

[BipolarBill]

Nice post, Qranger. We could use more like that here. :)

[R1Ted]

Thanks guys, I am going the AMD XP route, so I think I will just back-up, re-format and reinstall my programs. I am going from a K6-2 500 with Ali Aladdin V chipset to a XP 1700+ on an Ali Magik chipset, so needless to say the hardware changes are going to be pretty dramatic!! :)