Preparing to install new motherboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alex
  • Start date Start date
A

Alex

I have recently purchased a new motherboard/cpu/ram, and
wish to install it. However, I am running Windows XP Pro
and have a feeling it won't let me change it that easily.
Is there a procedure to go through to prepare for the
change, without having to reinstall windows afterwards?
 
Hi Alex

One more time then...

Before any hardware changes you should always back-up any important files
and note any important settings.

If you have a retail XP install CD -

Many users, myself included, prefer to do a clean install after major
hardware changes as you describe.

The alternative, and equally valid option, is the repair install (also known
as an In-Place Upgrade)

See following Knowledge Base article for details.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341

After doing this you may need to re-activate your installation of XP. If it
has been more than 120 days since you last re-activated you should be able
to activate over the internet, otherwise it will require a short phonecall.

After the repair install you will need to re-install any XP service packs
and updates, but you will not need to re-install any applications.

Hope that helps
Pete
 
RAID arrays and such can create problems, but if you are
using a straightforward configuration, and you're not going
from a dual-proc to single or something that will mess up
the kernel, you will still be able to keep the OS. If it
can find the drive and get to the bootloader, then it
should come up and start enumerating devices and figure out
what changed.
If it can't find the bootloader, then boot the Windows XP
CD and run Setup. Once it locates the drive, it will
update the bootloader with the correct drive path [like
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS] and then
"upgrade" your installation and it will leave all of the
apps and settings in place, but update the drivers for the
new hardware.
Before I did this though, just for safety, back up your
files and make a repair disk just in case. Enjoy!
 
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