New motherboard with existing install

  • Thread starter Thread starter R Murphy
  • Start date Start date
R

R Murphy

Hi

I have an existing XP installation that I'd like to migrate to a new
motherboard; that is, I'd like to just move the hard drive over without
having to reinstall everything. It's a big change - different chipset,
different CPU manufacturer.

This was pretty easy under 98 by removing the enum registry entries, but
from what I've read won't work on 2k / XP.

Is there a reliable way to do this?

Thanks

Rob
 
get it a try , just put your drive into the new computer.

i have done it with a few different drives running XP, though your correct
about win2k, it will blue screen you quick.
 
R said:
Hi

I have an existing XP installation that I'd like to migrate to a new
motherboard; that is, I'd like to just move the hard drive over without
having to reinstall everything. It's a big change - different chipset,
different CPU manufacturer.

This was pretty easy under 98 by removing the enum registry entries, but
from what I've read won't work on 2k / XP.

Is there a reliable way to do this?

Thanks

Rob
Click to expand...


Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses 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

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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