Upgrading the motherboard on an XP System

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I want to replace the motherboard, processor and memory on
my desktop computer. If I keep the same hard drives, can I
just install the disks onto the new motherboard, or will I
encounter no end of grief and have to reinstall
everything ?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

You will need to do a repair install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341&ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

This is an upgrade in place and your applications and files
should remain. However, as always, backup things you can't
replace.

You will need to reinstall SP2 and other updates also.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


"Bill d" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:2dc101c4ab34$4624c340$a501280a@phx.gbl...
|I want to replace the motherboard, processor and memory on
| my desktop computer. If I keep the same hard drives, can I
| just install the disks onto the new motherboard, or will I
| encounter no end of grief and have to reinstall
| everything ?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Have to do a repair install, set bios to boot off the xp cd rom and follow
the prompts.

"Bill d" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2dc101c4ab34$4624c340$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> I want to replace the motherboard, processor and memory on
> my desktop computer. If I keep the same hard drives, can I
> just install the disks onto the new motherboard, or will I
> encounter no end of grief and have to reinstall
> everything ?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Bill d wrote:
> I want to replace the motherboard, processor and memory on
> my desktop computer. If I keep the same hard drives, can I
> just install the disks onto the new motherboard, or will I
> encounter no end of grief and have to reinstall
> everything ?


Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours
before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the
one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll
need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this
point. You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the
OS. (If you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as
picking up a Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch
style foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K
before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to
accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. On
installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This
is one of the reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much
more stable than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more
than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.

--

Bruce Chambers

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