re-load XP / iTunes and all software?

Alex R · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:42

Hi,

I am about to upgrade from the gear in the sig to an intel e4300, gygabyte motherboard and associated memory.

My question is, do I have to re-instal Windows XP? I really don't want to 'cos presumably I'd have to reload a load of other software. In particular iTunes. I have already had to enable it 5 times when re-installing XP before. It said something about 5 times being the limit and I really don't want to lose all my music.

Can i not just swap the mobo/cpu and re-attach the hard drive and load the drivers for the new mobo?

I know this is a bit n00b but any advice would be gratefully received.

.walls · 24 Jan 2007 at 16:06

Unfortunately, you'll have to reinstall.

Alex R · 24 Jan 2007 at 16:12

Is that a full reload, as in format the disk and reload everything or just reload XP with the rest in place?

.walls · 24 Jan 2007 at 17:17

Go for a full reinstall - your system will be better for it (no chance of obsolete drivers messing things up)

Back up your important data to an easily accessible partition - things like your My Documents, Application Data, Favorites and Desktop folders from your profile + any extra data you might have (save game folders in your games directories? - or even the whole game directories so you don't have to re-update them - e.g. Steam).

After your re-install and you've installed your apps again, copy the backed-up folders back to their "original" locations and your apps should be pretty much how you left them

Also, once you're patched up (check out AutopatcherXP) and have your base apps installed, make a ghost of your HD, so you can save time next time you have to re-install.

Alex R · 24 Jan 2007 at 17:23

Cheers. Just dreading reloading iTunes, I'll try to deactivate it on the computer before swapping the new bits in and re-activating it afterwards. Thunderbird is also a bit of a troubled child as well when it comes to getting your old emails back after major surgery. I swapped hard drives last year and simply copying my backed up mail folder back in didn't work - got it going in the end but it was a real pain.

Just asking in a cowardly way, what would happen if I didn't re-instal Windows?

.walls · 24 Jan 2007 at 17:40

Most likely, it would BSOD half-way through loading...

If you back up the drive first, give it a shot - it MAY work, but it's not recommended - you will most likely suffer from a very unstable system if it does boot.

If it doesn't boot, try installing over the top... I'm not recommending this course of action either... but this is preferable to the former option!