changing motherboards

[edub]

if i change my computers motherboard on a xp machine will
i have to reformatt my harddrive and lose my current
programs?

 

[Steve C. Ray]

No, you will have to do a repair install, and reload the updates, including
SP1. Your programs and settings should remain intact.

 

[yeloduke]

When you do the repair install, the first time you see the word REPAIR,
don't. It will ask a second time, go with this.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old one
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), you'll
need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also require re-activation. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.


Bruce Chambers

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