Replacing motherboard without format...

Bleek · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:51

I've not actually ever attempted this even though being in the IT field for 7+ years but I don't want to format because my machine is crammed full of data, games, apps and settings so my idea is to delete every driver I possibly can and powering down - replace the board - boot up and hopefully install the new devices without any BSOD or random reboots.

Now I'm going from an nforce (XP 2500) to a Opty on an ULi board, can anyone see any problems with this or has done the process themselves (nvidia to uli) and could warn me of any caveats?

Thanks

semi-pro waster · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:58

It is possible to do but you may have to do a 'repair install' of Windows or possibly even a reactivation if running XP Home(Pro doesn't need reactivation after major changes such as motherboard as far as I am aware). I'd certainly recommend a fresh re-install to minimise the chance of problems but since you don't want to do that removing all drivers is probably your best bet and have the number around to apply for a reactivation code, other than that good luck

Bleek · 24 Mar 2006 at 13:03

The fear is requiring my XP disc which is ruined, it doesn't even run anymore... scratched to within an inch of its life as it was left in a box for years.

Its XP Pro, seeing as I have serial I guess I could just download XP and bang it on a disc.

BigDom · 24 Mar 2006 at 13:42

Yep no problem with copying a XP-Pro disk ( just make sure it's the right one - for example Pro-Upgrade key won't with with a Pro Retail or Pro OEM disk for instance - don't think) - As for what your doing. Worth trying, I actually went from NF4 to RD380 without even de-installing drivers and it worked.

Bleek · 24 Mar 2006 at 13:45

Cheers Dom, I'm sure I've done it in the past just by letting Windows detect new parts and then throwing the right drivers in once I get to desktop.

I'll download XP bootable just as a precaution though, can't be without a PC!

Bleek · 24 Mar 2006 at 16:26

Well that went too well, deleted everything I could without ruining the stability of the system. Things like nvidia and creative drivers, then NIC, RAID etc, powered down. Swapped board over, booted up, rebooted, installed NIC and 6800Ultra... done.

No problems at all. Brilliant.