A new motherboard, without reinstalling windows??

[Edward78]

Can it be done? I am thinking go delete all the hardware in system, but leave the MS HDD control drivers. What are the MS HDD drivers called in the list though?

Ok, I think I got it, I found http://arstechnica.com/hardware/new...-motherboard-without-reinstalling-windows.ars it says what I was thinking accept why do I need to do more then switch it to the MS controller? After I do that switch, I just boot up & install the MB drivers right?

 

[Edward78]

Went from Q9650 to SB i5-2500K, different chipset, no probs.
Been running for a few months now without problems!

Backup your data; what have you got to lose?

Cool, what exactly did you do? I am on XP.

Windows 7/Vista are less sensitive to motherboard changes even with different chipsets in my experience but if you still knocking around with old XP then more than likely it will throw a BSOD at you. As mentioned always best to do fresh install to stop any problems later on down the line.

Installing Windows is such a pain. Is there a way to keep all the data & none hardware settings so I don't have to redo everything?

 

[Edward78]

As said, if you keep to the same chipset make, it should be fine. You can just do a repair install of XP if needed which will keep all the data and software.

I am going from Nforce to Asus P8H61-I LGA1155/ Intel H61(B3)/ DDR3/ A&GbE/ Mini ITX Motherboard so that is out.

 

[Edward78]

maybe this might be the time to make the switch to Win7?

Ya, I thought that also.

 

[Edward78]

Shame you're using the ancient XP

On Win 7 you can easily swap out a motherboard and Win 7 will automatically uninstall all previous mobo drivers for you and often it will also install news ones for the new board (although i'd still recommend using the drivers on the manufacturers site or CD). I've swapped many boards without having to re-install windows 7.

Awesome.