Getting new cpu and mobo

[historynut]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

 

[Alias~-]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

It will NOT be a different computer. I will be an *upgraded* computer.
If it's been over 120 days since you last changed your hardware and/or
activated XP, it should activate on line with no problems. If not, use
phone activation and tell them you reinstalled Windows. It's none of
their business what you've done with your hardware.

Alias

 

[R. McCarty]

A Repair or "In-Place Upgrade" will ensure a smooth transition. Most
times the Mass Storage Controller driver is the single component that will
prevent a motherboard swap from requiring no OS changes. Say your
current setup uses a Via Chipset and the new uses an nVidia chipset. In
that case XP wouldn't boot because it would try and load/use the Via
driver on a nVidia controller chip. Most times when the chipset vendor
stays the same you can get XP to boot. However, on 1st use it (XP) will
do a full device re-enumeration and your Device Manager will end up
with several "Phantoms" or remnant devices from your previous hardware
configuration.

If you have imaging capability (True Image, Ghost...) I'd take a image
before doing the hardware switch.

Only downside to a Repair install is the loss of Service Packs/Hotfixes
which will need to be re-applied or Slipstream your XP CD prior to the
Repair to minimize the number of updates needed.

 

[historynut]

Well, I just realized I'll have another hurdle with this. I will also
be installing new SATA hard drives and my WinXP CD, which was bought
ages ago, is the upgrade not the full version. I didn't remember which
I had when I posted a while ago so I dug it out and whacked myself in
the head with it.

 

[DL]

If you mean by installing new sata drives you will be clean installing you
will need an earlier version o/s
If on the otherhand you are keeping the o/s boot drive, install mobo & cpu
first by doing a repair installation then installing the drivers supplied
with your mobo, check winupdate and perhaps drivers from mobo site. Once ok
then set about installing sata devices

 

[Ron Martell]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

If you replace the motherboard then you will almost certain have to do
a Repair Install of your Windows XP in order to properly configure it
to operate on the new motherboard.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
After the Repair Install your Windows XP will have to be reactivated
and this could lead to a complication.

First thing you need to know is the nature of your installed Windows
XP. If it is a BIOS Locked OEM version then you will not be able to
replace the motherboard unless the new motherboard comes from the same
OEM who assembled the computer originally.

To determine if your installed Windows XP is an OEM version open
Control Panel - System - Advanced and look at the 20 digit Product ID
code that is reported on the last line of the "Licensed to" section.
Note that this is not the same as the 25 character Product Key that is
used to install Windows XP. If the second segment of the 20
character Product ID is OEM then your installed Windows XP is an OEM
version. If the second segment is numeric (3 digits) then your
installed Windows XP is either a retail or a volume licensed version.

If your installed Windows XP is an OEM version then use Start - All
Programs - Accessories - System Tools and see if there is an "Activate
Windows" item on the menu. If there is no "Activate Windows" item on
the System Tools menu then your installed OEM version of Windows XP is
"BIOS Locked" and cannot be activated on a motherboard that does not
have a motherboard BIOS from that specific OEM. Note that BIOS
Locked OEM versions are self-activating on a motherboard with a BIOS
from that specific OEM.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM
installations are BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore are
*not* transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before starting),
unless the new motherboard is virtually identical (same chipset, same
IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on which the WinXP
installation was originally performed, 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

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point.
You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If
you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a
Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style
foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it,
is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any
old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it
"tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the
reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable
than the Win9x group.

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

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. 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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Northerntravel.net and Northerntravel.co.uk is a premier online travel
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[Jonny]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

Easy as possible methods may lead to other problems along the way. Save all
your personal files, favorites folder in bookmark.htm format, ISP connection
if applicable, email and news server settings etc. to external media that
can be accessed later. Archived email saved in a format compatible with
your mail program. This should be done, even prior to using the "easy
methods". And, on a regular basis when using XP for stuff that changes.

Wipe the hard drive using a zero fill utility from the hard drive
manufacturer is a basic beginning. Install the appropriate size OS
partition with the XP setup CD, it will format it automatically. Then
install XP, then the motherboard drivers and so forth. Then, the 3rd party
apps. Restore what you saved prior. Check operability and usability of
your email, news reader, and your internet browser. Remember to utilize
space not being used on the hard drive by the OS partition by adding one or
more partitions with disk management after XP is installed. Put your
personal files in a folder hierarchy on a non-OS partition that you are
comfortable with.

If the "easy methods" don't work, or have major problems, you'll end up
doing the above anyway.

 

[Plato]

I'm upgrading both my motherboard and cpu and since this is basicly
creating a new computer I just know that WinXP is going to cause me
some grief. What do I need to do to make this upgrade as easy as
possible?

Always destatic yourself before you take a part out of a static bag.
Build on corrugated paper [ie old box], never on the rug.

Make sure you have the holes lined up properly. Put the cpu/ram/heatsink
on the new mobo before you mount it in the case.