new mobo do i need to reinstall

jas72 · 19 Sep 2011 at 10:54

Guys I bought a new mobo mem and cpu.

do I need to do a fresh install?

I'd prefer not to have to as the wife uses the PC for work everyday and I don't have time but before starting the install I was looking for advice...

thanks,

John

Hagar · 19 Sep 2011 at 11:09

Which windows version? XP, Vista, 7
OEM or retail?
Will need reactivation by phone if OEM or online with retail.

May just work unless you need specific driver support, I would disconnect external peripherals and just see if it boots.

BACK UP ALL DATA FIRST.

jas72 · 19 Sep 2011 at 13:05

sorry Win 7 retail....

I'll back up first of course...

J

MikGriff · 19 Sep 2011 at 13:12

Did a mobo/cpu/ram upgrade this week, luckily didn't have to re-install

Donkeyfumbler · 19 Sep 2011 at 13:25

Even if it doesn't work initially, you should be able to do a repair rather than a full reinstall, which will preserve all of your programs, settings and docs.

jas72 · 19 Sep 2011 at 15:33

thanks guys just the last time I did this it was XP and it said do you want to repair and I said yes then it wiped the disk

Donkeyfumbler · 20 Sep 2011 at 15:15

XP shouldn't have done that either to be fair - I've done a fair few repairs in the course of my job and as long as you are careful to select the right options, it should be fine. The wording on XP could be a little clearer though, I grant you.

anything I don't mind · 20 Sep 2011 at 19:31

try and boot see what happens.

jas72 · 23 Sep 2011 at 12:38

I did and it went flaky for about 20 minutes while it reloaded all the drivers required about 5 restarts now everything is hunky dory.

I didn't even have to do a repair but perhaps I should have I just booted straight into windows.