Changing boards - what will happen to Windows?

[Arcanum777]

Hi:

I'm planning on changing my mobo and cpu to an Athlon 64 combo - not sure which yet. What do I have to do to make the transition without loosing all the info on my HDD. I have read that Windows XP doesn't like to see a change in the motherboard. Can someone please give me an idea of what I have to do in order to change my components and have Windows work like it is now without having to reformat and lose all the info on my HDD?

Thanks very much,
Arcanum777

[Daywalker]

I'd back up your important data. Formats are good every once in a while anyway.

[serotone9]

reformatting is the only way to go after a motherboard switch. if you keep your data on a separate partition, it's much less painful.

[proxops-pete]

Originally posted by serotone9
reformatting is the only way to go after a motherboard switch. if you keep your data on a separate partition, it's much less painful.

Ditto that... esp. with such brand new mobo like yours!! *Envy**

[Arcanum777]

Hi:

So can I set up a second partition on my current drive and backup my data to it and then just reformat the "old" partition when I switch it out? And if that is the case, is there an easy way to copy over things like my games and other applications or will I have to reinstall them as well?

Thanks for the fast responses everyone,
Arcanum

[ua549]

Reinstall all applications that use the registry.

Don't forget to backup data in Documents and Settings. An OS reinstall changes your security identifier (SID)

[serotone9]

you'll pretty much have to reinstall everything. with the programs already in folders of their own, it seems to make it easier, though. you can just go down the "list" and reinstall everything one by one.

if you can make another partition to back up your data without deleting everything (e.g., using partition magic), that would be the best way. iow, don't do it through a dos prompt or win2k/xp setup because you'll lose everything on the partition. if you don't have a partitioning program, you'll have to break out the CDs. (don't forget your IE bookmarks and outlook mail, if you use those.)

then after that, keep the OS separate from the data and you won't have to go through all the backing up and everything anymore. just wipe the partition with the OS clean and reinstall, then add your programs. much better.

[Blue_MiSfit]

yeah just copy your "my documents" folder, favorites, desktop items, and any other "data" files on your hard drive (mp3s, movies etc...) all over to your second hard drive

start up off the xp install cd and quickformat your main partition, then install xp on it

when you boot back up into a fresh copy of xp, install chipset drivers *nforce3 drivers* your video card drivers etc.... and run SP1 if your copy does not have it preinstalled. Then install the blaster patch *VERY IMPORTANT*. then run windows update to get all the security fixes etc..

after all that **** is done and you're patched up and happy * we love xp !* then install all your applications. you may wish to consider making a ghost image of your c drive now...

then move all the data back over


hope that helps, i do it about 4-5 times a year

-misfit

[vairox]

just be careful about what your switching to, i had a via kt333 motherboard and switched to an nforce2, windows wouldnt boot, blue screen etc and it wasgonna be a long month of reinstalling everything i use and get everything back the same so i was determined to avoid it. asked some people in the AMD overclocking newsgroup and they said it was due to windows loading my via ide drivers but there was no via ide controller so it wasnt loading the OS....so i switched motherboards back, uninstalled all the via drivers/4-in-1 pack etc etc, shut down, swapped mobos and it booted like a champ...so just make sure u are aware of what motherboard drivers are for what and what your switching to....you learn something new everyday lol