re-load XP / iTunes and all software?

[Alex R]

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.

 

[Alex R]

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

 

[Alex R]

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?