Must I format HDD or can I let XP suss new mobo?

clemenzina · 21 Apr 2006 at 15:53

I've seen somewhere that XP will do a reinstall on a new motherboard/CPU/RAM setup, so I'm hoping you will confirm this - I don't want to have to format C: and reinstall all my progs.

I'm about to dismantle everything, so am asking before I cut myself off from the world (it's awful, I feel as though limbs have been amputated). I'll be taking a long time to get this done, if history is anything to go by - I seem to have to collapse after every little stage

clemenzina

Lonewolf · 21 Apr 2006 at 16:45

It's alway's advisable to back everything up before a major upgrade such as a mobo, but a reinstall is a possibility if you encounter any problem's.

sfx · 21 Apr 2006 at 16:48

Obviously you should back everything up before an upgrade like this. You can install the motherboard without formatting, Windows will probably do a bit of moaning but once you get the new drivers in etc... It should run.

It is best to do a clean install though if you change the motherboard.

sfx

clemenzina · 21 Apr 2006 at 21:24

Thank you... moan, grump, sniff, but I knew it really, was just hoping...

clemenzina

Vundu · 22 Apr 2006 at 14:59

Windows XP does not accept a change of mobo due to piracy issues. You can do a repair installation once the new mobo is in but not advisable.

Fresh install is best.

bledd · 22 Apr 2006 at 16:30

slipstream sp2 into your xp disc..

www.nliteos.com

if you want updates too..

www.ryanvm.net

integrate the ryanvm update pack as a hotfix in nlite