I am upgrading my CPU and Motherboard, what steps should I take?

[oneupe1even]

I am upgrading my CPU, RAM, and MOBO.

Previous:
Phenom 9500 Quad Core 2.2 ghz
Crappy Cheap Mobo
DDR2 Ram

New:
i3 2120 Dual Core 3.3 ghz
Decent Mobo
DDR3 Ram

What are the steps that I should take before I install the i3 and mobo? What drivers should I uninstall and how would I do it? I don't want to reformat my computer.

 

[geofelt]

It may be very easy, and it may be difficult.
What OS are you using?

First of all, protect what you value to some preferably external destination.
You might use windows easy transfer to export all your user files and settings.

Plan A:
If you are using windows 7, you have a good chance that booting from your boot device will get you into windows.
Then install the chipset drivers that come on a CD with your new motherboard.
In particular, you will need to install the lan drivers to be able to access the internet and get more current versions.
There is no need to uninstall any old drivers.

Plan B:
Set the boot device to a dvd with your windows dvd and select a repair install.

Plan C:
This might be a good time to upgrade to a SSD.
Make certain that the sata mode is set to AHCI.
Disconnect your old HDD and do a clean install of windows.
Use windows easy transfer to recover your files and settings.
You will need to reinstall your apps.

If your os is an OEM version, not upgrade or retail, you may have a problem with reactivation.
OEM is tied to the motherboard.
You may have to talk with MS. They are lenient on replacing damaged motherboards if a suitable replacement is not available. The key question to answer is that this copy of windows is being used on only ONE pc.

 

[oneupe1even]

I am using Windows XP, and I have been using this key for a while now so I think I'm good. But I don't need to uninstall any of my old drivers? Are you sure? And don't give me crap about XP, I'm planning on upgrading to 7 soon.

 

[geofelt]

I am using Windows XP, and I have been using this key for a while now so I think I'm good. But I don't need to uninstall any of my old drivers? Are you sure? And don't give me crap about XP, I'm planning on upgrading to 7 soon.

Correct, you do not need to uninstall any old drivers.

XP will include many drivers that you don't use. Windows 7 has many more.
The driver files take up a trivial amount of space, so no need to remove them.
When windows detects new devices, it will search your pc for drivers.
They will be on your motherboard's cd.

Plan A/B/C is still valid, just that XP may not have enough included smarts to be able to boot in the first place.
It is worth a try though.
I have been successful with plan A using windows 7.

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

You are going to HAVE TO REINSTALL..

XP does NOT like booting with totally different hardware...

All the best Brett

 

[oneupe1even]

So, I have to? Will it not boot at all? I'm fine with having a few glitches and such until I can afford Win 7.

 

[Brett928S2]

So, I have to? Will it not boot at all? I'm fine with having a few glitches and such until I can afford Win 7.

Hi

XP is NOT like 7 in this matter....

You can TRY it, but personally I would give you around a 10% chance at best.... (with 7 ...that's around a 50% chance)

If it fails, it wont glitch and go into Windows, it will just stop DEAD partway through the install or keep rebooting for no obvious reason...

We would love this to work for my shops, but gave up years ago on trying with XP, just a waste of time and hassle...

All the best Brett

 

[oneupe1even]

When you say install, what do you mean? I can't just switch the parts?