Upgrading a Motherboard: Vista 64-bit reinstall required?

Random Guy · 17 Sep 2009 at 14:20

Hi all.

I was lucky enough to get an MSI P55 GD80 in the recent promotions, and I am in the process of acquiring a CPU/RAM for it.

My question is, can I install the new hardware without having to do a clean install of Vista? Has anyone done this before, and were the results positive or disastrous?

something daft already!! · 17 Sep 2009 at 14:23

Mot of the time no, they will generally BSOD. You could try uninstalling all the drivers for mobo/sound/gpu and see really. My bet is it wont work.

Stanners · 17 Sep 2009 at 14:32

I changed from a P45 to a P55 with no bother what so ever, but i guess thats not to bad a change. Still i keep thinking i should format just in case!

RJC · 17 Sep 2009 at 15:48

I tend to do a re-install to be on the safe side.

Fahim · 18 Sep 2009 at 16:03

Re-install is the best option, but you can just activate vista again, it will install most of the necessary drivers on its own, or by windows update.