Recommendations for swapping MB and CPU without a reinstall?

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

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We're talking XP Pro (corp) here...

I've seen a couple of suggestion on how to achieve this:-
1) Remove ALL drivers (via Control Panel, Drive Cleaner pro, CCleaner). Shut down. Install. Reboot.
2) User SYSPREP - http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=34&threadid=1688660&forumid=1

Anyone done this? What method did you use? Any tips?

method (1) appeals to me the most as the machine should just boot up and detect. There's no mini-install as SYSPREP appears to do...
 
My issue is, 'remove drivers' is rather vague... In Control Panel what do you really have to remove?


The best advice I've seen so far is:-
- With the OLD motherboard in your system go to device manager (right click My Computer, Mange, Device Manager).
- select the IDE / ATAPI controller (this will not work if you're using a raid or SATA setup that is NOT part of the chipset... ie SIL, Promise, High Point or Adaptec).
- update your drivers.
- choose to select from list of compatible devices.
- choose microsoft default.
- shut down and replace motherboard

A lot of people also suggest using Driver Cleaner Pro as well before swapping over. I suspect this all best done in safe mode as well!?!??
 
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drivers to remove mainly relate to the mobo/chipset as thats you're main change, gfx card drivers etc are done to make sure its clear and on a normal install the preference is usually to install mobo/chipset before graphics.

unless you really have to do that i'd favour a clean install.
 
As long as you're using default IDE drivers then you're likely to be fine. I was able to swap my mobo from an NF4 chipset AMD system to a X38 chipset Intel system because I was using the default Microsoft IDE drivers and not using Nvidia's. If you're not using the default IDE drivers install them before you make the swap.
 
Aod said:
you really really ought to reinstall though. you'll have far less issues if you do!
Click to expand...

How do you have far less issues than none?

Seriously, a lot of people seem to do this and have no issues? Have you tried it? ie: Speaking from experience rather than assumption?

If I have to do a re-install then I won't bother with the exercise...
 
Broken Hope said:
As long as you're using default IDE drivers then you're likely to be fine. I was able to swap my mobo from an NF4 chipset AMD system to a X38 chipset Intel system because I was using the default Microsoft IDE drivers and not using Nvidia's. If you're not using the default IDE drivers install them before you make the swap.
Click to expand...

Apart from the IDE driver, did you do anything else?
 
Just do it.
I normally do.
FFS I went from ASUS AMD to ASUS Intel to Gigbyte intel on one install.
(and as for my linux...LOL).
(I did eventually re-install cos I got an "altered" version of windows that runs more efficiently, but apart from the expected boost this gave, nothing was any different).


If yer paranoid, go into device manager and remove (not disable), most of your core system devices (PCI bridges, USB/disc controllers).
And, if you can, install the drivers for the new hardware BEFORE shutting down the old for the last time.
This should reduce the number of "alzheimersXP" boot ups and reboots before all settles down.
 
I have swapped motherboards several times. The key is preparation of the old system before taking out the old motherboard.

There is a SYSPREP tool on the XP CD.

You may need to extract files from the Windows XP CD, files are located at CD:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\ in a cab file called DEPLOY.CAB. The files are Sysprep.exe and Setupcl.exe.

With the old motherboard still intact:
You run sysprep and "RESEAL" Windows XP.

Then you put the new board in, and it re-activates Windows XP and populates the device manager list.

You do need to re-activate with the same key-code, and if you exhaust that number of activations, it will prompt you to call Microsoft and you get a new release key at no cost from them over the phone.

If you have hardware conflicts with the new motherboard and any device, you will have extensive problems noticeable by memory dumps.

For detailed info. go to :

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302577
 
Mongy2130 said:
I have swapped motherboards several times. The key is preparation of the old system before taking out the old motherboard.

There is a SYSPREP tool on the XP CD.

You may need to extract files from the Windows XP CD, files are located at CD:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\ in a cab file called DEPLOY.CAB. The files are Sysprep.exe and Setupcl.exe.

With the old motherboard still intact:
You run sysprep and "RESEAL" Windows XP.

Then you put the new board in, and it re-activates Windows XP and populates the device manager list.

You do need to re-activate with the same key-code, and if you exhaust that number of activations, it will prompt you to call Microsoft and you get a new release key at no cost from them over the phone.

If you have hardware conflicts with the new motherboard and any device, you will have extensive problems noticeable by memory dumps.

For detailed info. go to :

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302577
Click to expand...

I the only thing that puts me off SYSPREP are reports of it sometimes perminantly increasing bootup time on the new system...

As regards the reactivation, is that just the same XP key again? Just like install time?
 
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