Question: potential issues when upgrading CPU ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 'Ole
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O

'Ole

Looking to chg the CPU from 1 gig to 2.4


I running a legit OS in Win XP Sp2+....What issue can I expect when changing
my processor ?

I'm told it does not like you to make major component changes in regards to
the OS registration.

thx

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
cheers......'Ole Curmudgeon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The power of accurate observation is called cynicism by those who have not
got it." - G. B. Shaw
 
Changing processor only--no issues
Changing motherboard and processor -- I recommend doing a repair install
before booting to Windows to install the correct HAL for your new hardware.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
 
'Ole said:
Looking to chg the CPU from 1 gig to 2.4


I running a legit OS in Win XP Sp2+....What issue can I expect when
changing my processor ?

I'm told it does not like you to make major component changes in regards
to the OS registration.
Click to expand...

Are you changing the motherboard as well? If the motherboard has the same
family of chipset e.g VIA to VIA or Intel to Intel then you are probably OK.
There is a good chance that Windows will find the new hardware on first
boot. If the new CPU is hyperthreaded or multi core then it depends what HAL
your current system uses. See the following link for info about the HAL and
which ones will automatically find the correct multi processor HAL on an
upgrade. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309283 In
most cases Windows will load the correct new HAL with no problem. The next
scenario is the computer won't boot or the incorrect HAL is loaded and multi
processor support is not available. In that case you will have to do a
repair install http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm The
worst case is a repair install fails and you have to reformat and do a clean
install. Usually this doesn't happen unless you change more hardware like a
PATA to SATA drive or a new video card etc. Even then usually a repair
install will work.

As far as re-activation it shouldn't be a problem unless you change the
motherboard and your XP license was BIOS locked to the old one. If that is
the case then all of the above paragraph is wrong as well. You'll need a new
XP license. If you have to reactivate and the Internet process doesn't work
then a quick phone call is all that is needed. I've upgraded hundreds of
computers. I usually have to re-activate but only had to phone a couple of
times. Both times it was no problem. They were polite and quick. I just told
them that I had upgraded the computer.

Bottom line:

Changing CPU only should be no problems except in rare cases the correct HAL
is not loaded for the new CPU. A repair install will fix it.

Changing motherboard and CPU there are many things to consider first. You
will most likely be doing a repair install. If your XP is BIOS locked to the
old motherboard you will need a new version of XP.

As always when upgrading something may go wrong. Backup any important data
before starting the upgrade. Have a XP CD slipstreamed with SP2 available
before you start. See the following link for info on creating a slipstreamed
CD http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

Kerry
 
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