New Motherboard - should I reinstall Windows XP

decimator · 3 Apr 2006 at 23:19

I'm going to be exchanging the motherboard in my sig for an ASUS A8V deluxe, all the other components will be the same, obviously it's a different Chipset (going from Nforce3 to the VIA K8T800 Pro) so I'm wondering if I should take the trouble to format the HD and reinstall Windows or just do a repair install, I've read on the net that doing a repair install means you don't then have to reinstall all your apps, but as I'm mainly doing this to improve performance I'd like to know if it could be affected.

nyzrox · 3 Apr 2006 at 23:23

Yes do a reinstall if your changing your mobo

decimator · 3 Apr 2006 at 23:29

What kind of problems could I get if I didn't?

nyzrox · 3 Apr 2006 at 23:31

Who knows, your changing chipsets, your old chipset drivers are going to be installed, then new ones, conflictions alsorts.

Aidoscuz · 3 Apr 2006 at 23:34

Yes - definitely reinstall. I didn't when I upgraded my last motherboard and windows just wouldn't boot. Plus it's good for your computer to do a format every now and then

decimator · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:00

nyzrox said:
Who knows, your changing chipsets, your old chipset drivers are going to be installed, then new ones, conflictions alsorts.

Will that happen even if I do a repair install as suggested here:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/replace_motherboard.htm

SinaiSound · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:04

If you're doing it for performance like you stated, I'd go for a new install.

nyzrox · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:05

its up to you my friend, id go for format n fresh install.

decimator · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:25

OK, thanks, I think I'll do that, it would probably be too irritating to be wondering whether or not I was losing fps etc because of it.

Monstermunch · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:41

decimator said:
I'm going to be exchanging the motherboard in my sig for an ASUS A8V deluxe, all the other components will be the same, obviously it's a different Chipset (going from Nforce3 to the VIA K8T800 Pro) so I'm wondering if I should take the trouble to format the HD and reinstall Windows or just do a repair install, I've read on the net that doing a repair install means you don't then have to reinstall all your apps, but as I'm mainly doing this to improve performance I'd like to know if it could be affected.

YES!

The hdd will have an OS installed with registry setting for the other mobo and either won't work at all or will be awful and force you to re-format.

Transfer your data and re-format and install properly.

Any other piece of hardware you could probably get away with it by using driver cleaner but not with a MOBO!

decimator · 4 Apr 2006 at 00:54

OK, you've convinced me, Monstermunch, I think I might get a copy of Norton Ghost and ghost the C: drive for the original motherboard in case I decide to revert back to it.

nyzrox · 4 Apr 2006 at 01:00

be a gd idea

RandomTom · 4 Apr 2006 at 01:02

I never reinstalled windows moving from an Asus p4c800-e to a p4p800vm board, no problems here, well at least I hope not.

BigDom · 4 Apr 2006 at 01:11

Whilst often it will go smoothly ( windows OUGHT to handle it fine ) it's best to re-install. Doing so eliminates any old driver calls causing problem which could happen.

GuruJockStrap · 4 Apr 2006 at 01:53

Best thing to do is create a backup image of your current HD.

Then, swap mobo's and see if Windows handles it and the performance is spot on.

If it doesn't, then you can reformat.

barney · 4 Apr 2006 at 02:19

what about if you change the cpu? I did this and windows seems to be ok but in the event log it says there have been bsod (havent seen any).

InSanCen · 4 Apr 2006 at 07:15

Or, you could just read this...

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/77909774/m/1400925745

In short, boot in safe mode, remove your IDE drivers (Set them to standard). Replace mobo, boot, and hope it all goes well.

Done it quite a few times myself, no problems, even N-force-->SIS-->Nvidia-->Nforce again.

footman · 4 Apr 2006 at 07:19

I did an upgrade last weekend and used Ghost9, did a clean install and restored selected files. That way I made sure that everything had been backed up .

AnastieByte · 4 Apr 2006 at 07:19

I went from an Asus A8n SLI Deluxe to a Asus A8n SLI Premium due to mobo probs. Did not reinstall and had lots of problems. I would always reinstall.

comradpoplin! · 4 Apr 2006 at 11:25

allways best to start a fresh