Replacing Motherboard: Like for Like

[BRH]

After my motherboard died, I've decided to replace it with the exact
same model.

I know that, if I had gone with a new model mobo, I could use the
Autostreamer program and do a Repair Install (under XP Pro) to avoid
having to re-format my hard drives.

But now that I'm replacing it with the exact same model motherboard, is
there anything special that I need to do? I figure that, as long as I
hook up all peripherals, drives etc to the exact same ports and
connectors, my system should boot right up, correct?

If not, what am I missing? I want to avoid re-formatting my drives.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Depends on your version of windows ie OEM or Full, if OEM you MIGHT have to
get a new copy of XP.

 

[Benedictum]

I am not sure but I think you may need to re-register XP.

 

[Malke]

After my motherboard died, I've decided to replace it with the exact
same model.

I know that, if I had gone with a new model mobo, I could use the
Autostreamer program and do a Repair Install (under XP Pro) to avoid
having to re-format my hard drives.

But now that I'm replacing it with the exact same model motherboard,
is
there anything special that I need to do? I figure that, as long as I
hook up all peripherals, drives etc to the exact same ports and
connectors, my system should boot right up, correct?

If not, what am I missing? I want to avoid re-formatting my drives.

In all probability, everything will just work. Naturally being prepared
to do a Repair Install and having your data backed up will be A Good
Thing.

Just in case, here's a good link with information:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

Malke

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I am not sure but I think you may need to re-register XP.

If you're not sure, why did you reply?

Do you think the OP wants anything but SURE posts/answers?

 

[Alias]

After my motherboard died, I've decided to replace it with the exact
same model.

I know that, if I had gone with a new model mobo, I could use the
Autostreamer program and do a Repair Install (under XP Pro) to avoid
having to re-format my hard drives.

But now that I'm replacing it with the exact same model motherboard, is
there anything special that I need to do? I figure that, as long as I
hook up all peripherals, drives etc to the exact same ports and
connectors, my system should boot right up, correct?

If not, what am I missing? I want to avoid re-formatting my drives.

Thanks!

I just did it and it worked just fine, even though the MB was a version
higher than the previous one. The worst that you will have to do is a
repair install and, if so, back up first just in case.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Depends on your version of windows ie OEM or Full, if OEM you MIGHT have to
get a new copy of XP.

Why? I just did it with a generic OEM and had no problems at all. In
fact, I did it on two computers. On one, the MB was almost the same
model and not even a repair installation was necessary. With the other
one, due to the fact that the MB was a completely different make, I did
a clean install and it activated on line with no problems.

Where do you get this misinformation about needing to buy a new generic
OEM copy if you change the motherboard? If you READ the EULA, the word
"motherboard" isn't mentioned once.

Alias

 

[Jonny]

Don't know if XP will protest if the bios is a different version. Not
unusual in aftermarket replacement motherboards.
Just because you use the same slots, doesn't mean the bios will assign the
same hardware irqs as before. Don't know if XP will protest about that.
Careful, replacement motherboards of same make/model can be slightly
different.

You should have SP2 incorporated with your XP installation. You never know
if a repair install may be needed, or forecast its need. Go ahead and make
that install CD with autostreamer.

Always backup any valuable personal data first to external media.

 

[Pop`]

I would expect things would go pretty smoothly and that the best course
would be to go ahead and see what happens. You might find a few smaller
issues like an updated BIOS and newer components on the new board, but I
wouldn't think it would be anything but minor issues. DO be sure to check
the BIOS settings just in case.
That doesn't mean you don't need to back up your data first, nor does it
mean something unforeseen won't require you to do a Repair Install, but I'd
say the chances are reasonbly slim that they would be serious.
There's a possiblity you'll just install it and immediately be all set
unless the old one did something to any of your data, etc..

It'd be interesting if you'd post back with whether you had to re-register
XP or not, and what the reason was if you know it.

Regards,

Pop`

 

[BRH]

Thanks for all of the replies. Unfortunately, I can't back up my data
because the old motherboard won't boot at all. In hopes of saving my
data, I decided to replace it with the same motherboard (Epox 8kha+).

I have a few questions:

1. Exactly what should I be checking for in the BIOS?
2. How will I know whether a Repair Install (using Autostreamer) is
necessary? (I don't want to go to far and lose my data before I realize
that a repair install will be necessary.)
3. So should I boot with the CD created by Autostreamer and do a repair
install right from the start? Or can I try simply booting up with the
new motherboard without fear of losing data?

Thanks!

 

[Alias]

Thanks for all of the replies. Unfortunately, I can't back up my data
because the old motherboard won't boot at all. In hopes of saving my
data, I decided to replace it with the same motherboard (Epox 8kha+).

I have a few questions:

1. Exactly what should I be checking for in the BIOS?
2. How will I know whether a Repair Install (using Autostreamer) is
necessary? (I don't want to go to far and lose my data before I realize
that a repair install will be necessary.)
3. So should I boot with the CD created by Autostreamer and do a repair
install right from the start? Or can I try simply booting up with the
new motherboard without fear of losing data?

Thanks!

Try it without doing anything. If it boots up fine, back up your data
and see how it runs. If you have problems, do a repair install. If it
doesn't boot, use a new hard drive to install XP and connect the old one
as a slave drive and copy the data over to the new drive.

Alias

 

[Nick Goetz]

Thanks for all of the replies. Unfortunately, I can't back up my data
because the old motherboard won't boot at all. In hopes of saving my
data, I decided to replace it with the same motherboard (Epox 8kha+).

I have a few questions:

1. Exactly what should I be checking for in the BIOS?
2. How will I know whether a Repair Install (using Autostreamer) is
necessary? (I don't want to go to far and lose my data before I
realize that a repair install will be necessary.)
3. So should I boot with the CD created by Autostreamer and do a
repair install right from the start? Or can I try simply booting up
with the new motherboard without fear of losing data?

Thanks!

Doubt you'll have any 'big" problems. XP is fairly accomodating.

The toughest one I did was when going from an Abit Pentium III, Intel
Chipset motherboard to an Asus Pentium 4, VIA chipset with SiS onboard
video.

The first and subsequent boots resulted in almost immediate BSODs.
During the "repair install" (going from XP Pro SP1 to slipstream SP2) the
install "lost" access to the CD and I was unable to install some files.

The system booted and was more or less useable minus "WMI" (Windows
Instrumentaion Management) and a few other services. After removing some
pre-existing infections and correcting as many of the service problems as
I could, I did another "repair install".

The 2nd repair install went without a hitch and the system is running
well.

So... with you putting in the same or very similar motherboard, it should
be a "piece of cake".

Don't sweat the BIOS and good luck!

Nick Goetz

 

[BRH]

Doubt you'll have any 'big" problems. XP is fairly accomodating.

The toughest one I did was when going from an Abit Pentium III, Intel
Chipset motherboard to an Asus Pentium 4, VIA chipset with SiS onboard
video.

The first and subsequent boots resulted in almost immediate BSODs.
During the "repair install" (going from XP Pro SP1 to slipstream SP2) the
install "lost" access to the CD and I was unable to install some files.

The system booted and was more or less useable minus "WMI" (Windows
Instrumentaion Management) and a few other services. After removing some
pre-existing infections and correcting as many of the service problems as
I could, I did another "repair install".

The 2nd repair install went without a hitch and the system is running
well.

So... with you putting in the same or very similar motherboard, it should
be a "piece of cake".

Don't sweat the BIOS and good luck!

Nick Goetz

Thanks to all of the informative responses to my questions. The
replacement motherboard just popped right in and the system started
right up with (almost) no complaints. The only BIOS adjustment I made
was to disable onboard sound (because I use a sound card), and I
originally got an error message because one my my RAM modules wasn't
seated properly. Once I re-seated the RAM, everything was golden.

Other than taht it went great!

Thanks again!

 

[Guest]

Figures you would complain about my post, I said MIGHT!

 

[Alias]

Figures you would complain about my post, I said MIGHT!

With a generic OEM, no might about it. It's called "upgrading your
computer".

Alias