I have looked high and low and cannot find an answer to this question, specific or otherwise! So here goes...
Can you change out your current motherboard running Windows 7 with the same manufacturer's board and branded chipset with the same platform (AMD or Intel) by installing generic or standard drivers in place of all branded chipset drivers, i.e., ATI, Intel, Nividia, etc., with the old motherboard in place, then make the replacement and not have to do a clean install of the OS after replacing the motherboard?
If you are familiar with what I am asking then you know that you would have to go into the Device Manager and uninstall any branded drivers; i.e., ATI, Intel, Nividia, etc. for the current installation and install generics or standards in their places, so on boot up after the motherboard replacement, Windows would not fall flat on it's face because the chipset drivers were different. Once you have finished with the driver replacements, shut it down, take the machine apart, make the motherboard replacement.
After you have made the replacement boot the machine and pray to the PC Gods that it works and it boots. If it does boot, install your new boards chipset drivers and vavoom. Done deal.
It just seems to me that if all the old branded chipset drivers were removed and replaced with standard generics before replacing the motherboard, then when the new motherboard is installed Windows would only see the standard generic drivers and there is no conflict created by Windows trying to use the old branded chipset drivers from the replaced board on the newly installed motherboard and Windows carries on as usual.
I know that it works for XP but as I previously stated; I cannot find any threads for Windows 7!? Just looking for some input, surely someone has tried or accomplished this already............
I do realize that backing up your system files prior to taking on this endeavor is not only necessary but mandatory as well.
I am going to try it. If it works, fine. If it doesn't work then a clean install will be in order..
Can you change out your current motherboard running Windows 7 with the same manufacturer's board and branded chipset with the same platform (AMD or Intel) by installing generic or standard drivers in place of all branded chipset drivers, i.e., ATI, Intel, Nividia, etc., with the old motherboard in place, then make the replacement and not have to do a clean install of the OS after replacing the motherboard?
If you are familiar with what I am asking then you know that you would have to go into the Device Manager and uninstall any branded drivers; i.e., ATI, Intel, Nividia, etc. for the current installation and install generics or standards in their places, so on boot up after the motherboard replacement, Windows would not fall flat on it's face because the chipset drivers were different. Once you have finished with the driver replacements, shut it down, take the machine apart, make the motherboard replacement.
After you have made the replacement boot the machine and pray to the PC Gods that it works and it boots. If it does boot, install your new boards chipset drivers and vavoom. Done deal.
It just seems to me that if all the old branded chipset drivers were removed and replaced with standard generics before replacing the motherboard, then when the new motherboard is installed Windows would only see the standard generic drivers and there is no conflict created by Windows trying to use the old branded chipset drivers from the replaced board on the newly installed motherboard and Windows carries on as usual.
I know that it works for XP but as I previously stated; I cannot find any threads for Windows 7!? Just looking for some input, surely someone has tried or accomplished this already............
I do realize that backing up your system files prior to taking on this endeavor is not only necessary but mandatory as well.
I am going to try it. If it works, fine. If it doesn't work then a clean install will be in order..