How to recover system after replacing motherboard?

[ken scharf]

I'm sure this question has been asked before. My wife's computer died
after a nearby lightning strike. The motherboard is toast, but the
hard disk is ok. I have replaced the motherboard with one that fit
in the case but is NOT the same as the old one (but somewhat similar
in that it still uses an AMD cpu and a VIA chip set, though not the
same ones as the original).

I have NOT yet tried to boot the system, though I have entered the
bios and seen that the hard disk is detected as before with the old
MB. I've been advised that I should

1: just let it boot and probably blue screen. Then re-install
XP home. Since I don't have the original CD (Compaq/HP) and even
if I did it wouldn't work since the original was a manufacturer
specific OEM version, I would need to get a new generic OEM copy
(or pay double for a boxed retail copy). I would then be able to
do a "new install"/"repair" type operation and recover all my files
and settings.

----or----

2: DON'T try the above, install fresh to a NEW hard disk and then
(somehow) copy my data files, programs, and settings from the old
disk (as a slave) to the new.


3: (Hybrid) Do 2, copy all user data and programs (maybe the entire
disk under a new folder on the new drive, then restrap the drives
to swap them around, then try 1. I now have a back up of the
original drive on the new drive just in case.


Opinion on this seems to be split on various forums. What is the
recommended procedure here?

 

[Guest]

What would I do? If the data on the hard drive is important, do what you can
to make sure it's backed up.

Then, with Win XP install cd, boot to cd and do a repair install of Win XP
(skip the first stop that gives you a repair option w/ recovery console;
accept the second repair option at the install options screen). This should
then find the drivers needed for the new motherboard AND keep the programs
and data available for use.

I've used this method in the past and had success--and that was being brave
as I didn't have the ability to backup the user data on the drive.

Dan

 

[AJR]

Replacing the motherboard does not present a problem. as it boots, will
detect changes , if present, and load drivers or ask to read from an
installation disk if one came with the board.
You may of may not be required to reactivate XP - that is no problem -
activate over the phone if cannot do so over internet.

 

[Guest]

I have a similar situation only I'm changing MB and processors. To
complicate matters I'm going from an Intel dual processor to an AMD Duo
processor. In your opinion can I follow your advice as well or do I need to
start from scratch?

ckingtw

 

[ken scharf]

What would I do? If the data on the hard drive is important, do what you can
to make sure it's backed up.

Then, with Win XP install cd, boot to cd and do a repair install of Win XP
(skip the first stop that gives you a repair option w/ recovery console;
accept the second repair option at the install options screen). This should
then find the drivers needed for the new motherboard AND keep the programs
and data available for use.

I've used this method in the past and had success--and that was being brave
as I didn't have the ability to backup the user data on the drive.

Dan

I'm not sure where all the data is, but I did save the "documents and
settings" directory contents by mounting the disk in another computer
(running Linux) and mounting the drive read only, then I copied the
directory to a free area in my Linux Home directory. (about 2gb of data!).

I also saved a few of my wife's personal directories. Some stuff I'm
not at all sure where it is. Like where does Netscape save email?
Hopefully buried under "documents and settings"!

Now I'll put the drive back in my wife's computer and try to restore
XP home.

 

[ken scharf]

I have a similar situation only I'm changing MB and processors. To
complicate matters I'm going from an Intel dual processor to an AMD Duo
processor. In your opinion can I follow your advice as well or do I need to
start from scratch?

Exactly what I'm about to try. Fried MB with a socket "A" semptron is
being replaced by a socket 754 mb with an Athlon64 3000+. (Also adding
512mb more memory).

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a similar situation only I'm changing MB and processors. To
complicate matters I'm going from an Intel dual processor to an AMD Duo
processor. In your opinion can I follow your advice as well or do I need to
start from scratch?

ckingtw

He's clearly lacking in technical experience, or he'd no make such a claim.

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.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[AJR]

The following may clarify activation regarding OEM XP (Quotes from Microsoft
TechNet ):

"MPA is included in the Retail and OEM versions of Office XP and in Windows
XP. To complete the activation of these products, users can use any one of
the following methods:

The MPA-enabled product authenticates over the Internet.
Regional and localized call centers (Microsoft Licensing Clearing Houses)
will handle direct contact with customers. Where available, these call
centers will be toll free."

"However, if a licensed end user needs to activate because the OEM
pre-activation does not work as expected (e.g., after the replacement of a
defective motherboard) they can do so via phone-based activation."