best way changing hardware without reinstall?

Glaucus

Glaucus

Glaucus

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Joined
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Hey guys I know a few of you have done this and I disagree with it. However I don't wont to reinstall until I get a new HDD next week. So what's the base way of putting in a new motherboard, cpu and ram without it going **** up.
 
You can use an install across hardware easily.. I've moved the same install from an AMD 939 setup over to a Intel P31 mobo without issue.

Just uninstall *all* drivers, and then use driver cleaner to make sure they're all gone. swap out the hardware, install the new drivers.

bob's your uncle :)
 
Mainly the parts in Device Manager you know are on the Mobo.

USB/1394/NIC's/EIDE/SATA that are not removed by normal uninstall method.

Then there is less chance of issues when you swap over, its far easier if its same Chipset family like say a NF680 to 780 or 790 or a P35 to a P45.
 
AcidHell2 said:
Hey guys I know a few of you have done this and I disagree with it. However I don't wont to reinstall until I get a new HDD next week. So what's the base way of putting in a new motherboard, cpu and ram without it going **** up.
Click to expand...
First uninstall all drivers, graphics, sound, NIC, etc, etc, change the mobo and boot into safe mode, once everything seems to be detected and installed reboot into normal mode and follow the steps listed below and all should br fine.

1) Goto Start > All Programs > Accesories, right click Command Prompt and select "Run as admin".

2) Type SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1 in the CMD window and press enter, this will show all devices that are no longer connected to your system when you open device manager in the next step.

3) Type devmgmt.msc in the CMD window and press enter.

4) When you see the device manager pop up click on the View tab and select Show hidden devices.

5) Uninstall all drivers related to your old mobo, the old drivers that are no longer being used will be greyed out, these are the drivers you need to remove.

6) Install drivers for the new mobo and all other hardware.

Hope this helps!
 
I ain't did the above in a while but that info does not work for me on Vista64, nothing appears that's shaded out.

Bellow is way I used to do it and it does work and did show me a ton of stuff I just removed there as we speak.


If you want to do this only one time:


1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type cmd.exe in the textbox and click OK
4. Type set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 and hit ENTER
5. Type cd\windows\system32 and hit ENTER
6. Type start devmgmt.msc and hit ENTER
7. When the device manager opens, click the View menu
8. Click Show Hidden Devices

Typically hidden devices will be gray. Uninstall the device that you believe is causing the problem. As soon as you close the cmd box, the hidden devices will be hidden in the device manager again.


Or make it Permanent.


If you want it always to show these:

1. Right-click on My Computer
2. Select Properties from the context menu
3. Click Advanced tab
4. Click Environment Variables
5. Click New
6. In the variable name put devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices
7. In the variable value put 1
8. Click OK 3 times

Now anytime you open the device manager and select Show Hidden Devices from the View menu, you should see the nonconnected, hidden devices as well.
 
Last edited:
helmutcheese said:
1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type cmd.exe in the textbox and click OK
4. Type set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 and hit ENTER
5. Type cd\windows\system32 and hit ENTER
6. Type start devmgmt.msc and hit ENTER
Click to expand...

Or, just Win+R, and type devmgmt.msc, and show hidden devices ;)
 
Seem #5 is the one that makes it work or not work for me.

I just stick to way I know and do it 1x per year if I even remember or last that long on a Install lol.

I ain't big on CMD's TBH.

You can skip stages, and do not need run CMD as Admin.

I simply press SHIFT, right click desktop and choose "Open Command Window Here", then go to Step #4. ;)
 
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Didn't work, got to the vista safe mode screen. when through a long list like it usually does, then flashed a blue screen and rebooted. Think I might just wait.
 
Sorry to hijack , my sys fell last week and i am unable to use my system , but i have parts coming (upgrade)

old spec

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
A8R32-MVP Deluxe
2GIG OCZ PC4000

New

Corsair 2GB DDR3 DHX 1333C9DHX Twin3X

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600

Asus Maximus Extreme Intel X38

OS

WinXP Home.

Since i've been unable to post on my old gear , and i cant access my hdd is there anyway of just putting the hdd in to the new upgrade and make it work ? im going to loose quite a bit or data on the drive :P and really cba to download 70GIG worth of steam games ..lol


& also is it worth the upgrade to Vista now?
 
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