Upgrading a motherboard and cpu without reinstalling the OS... possible?

Satchfanuk · 24 Aug 2018 at 18:53

I need to upgrade a PC for someone with a new motherboard and cpu but I can't wipe the HDD and reinstall everything because I no longer have the discs for some of the programs.

Can I change the components and install the new drivers once it boots, or am I going to struggle to even get that far? Maybe boot into safe mode and add remove drivers from there first?

Any thoughts and advice is appreciated.

BTW, this is on a WinXP machine (upgraded from W2000) which can't be updated to any newer version of Windows due to software incompatibilities. Ah, the joys of looking after my old man's computer.

Orcvader · 24 Aug 2018 at 22:22

Depends on the motherboard and CPU, What was the old one and what are you moving to?

What programs are they? Can you not find them online or alternatives?

skyripper · 24 Aug 2018 at 22:27

Turn the existing WinXP installation and its programs into a virtual one with a P2V tool. Then run it as a virtual machine on a freshly installed OS for those programs you can't replace.

Satchfanuk · 25 Aug 2018 at 22:42

skyripper said:
Turn the existing WinXP installation and its programs into a virtual one with a P2V tool. Then run it as a virtual machine on a freshly installed OS for those programs you can't replace.

That would be a great idea if my old man wasn't severely tech averse. He still argues with his Sky tv box when it won't do what he wants

I think I'm going to clone the HDD and then trial and error the hell out of it until I find a solution that works

Thanks for the advice.

Satchfanuk · 25 Aug 2018 at 22:49

Orcvader said:
Depends on the motherboard and CPU, What was the old one and what are you moving to?

What programs are they? Can you not find them online or alternatives?

Well, it's an Abit NF7 motherboard with an Athlon XP 3200+ cpu. I think I've done pretty well to keep it going as long as I have.

I'd like to move to a Ryzen platform to keep him going until he retires.

The programs are all stuff to do with architectural calculations and things like that. I've searched many times for them but no joy.