Upgrade to P4 without reload

[Jeff Weinberg]

I am considering upgrading to a new P4 with appropriate motherboard. I want
to swap out the motherboard and processor, and leave the remaining
configuration pretty much alone. Some side notes: This is Windows XP Pro
loaded several months ago. I just upgraded my hard drive from a 40 Gb to a
120 Gb drive using Ghost. Because the system is stable, and I don't want to
reload everything from scratch, are there any potential problems I should
look out for? Will doing this trigger a call to Microsoft to reactivate the
OS?

I know, I should take the opportunity to do a fresh reload, and maybe I will
once I get the time. But for now, I really need to upgrade my system so
that I can get some new work done.

JWeinberg

Current config:

Windows XP Pro with all service pack and patches loaded
P3 1Ghz Intel processor
Intel motherboard 133 Mhz bus
512 Mb of 133 Mhz RAM (2 sticks)
2 hard drives (120 Gb and 160 Gb) (EIDE)
1 floppy drive (IDE)
1 DVD-RW/CDRW drive (EIDE)
1 CDRW drive (USB)
1 35mm Film Scanner (USB)
1 HP flatbed scanner (USB)
2 USB 1.1 ports (on motherboard)
4 USB 2.0 ports (add-on PCI card)
2 Firewire ports (add-on PCI card)
On-board video w/16Mb of memory with standard VGA plug connection
XVGA monitor
On-board Ethernet 10/100
1 Parallel port
1 Serial port
PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports
On-board audio
1 HP inkjet printer (USB 2.0)


Considered configuration:

Windows XP Pro with all service pack and patches loaded
P4 2.6Ghz Intel processor
Intel motherboard 800 Mhz front side bus
1 Gb of 800 Mhz RAM (2 sticks)
2 hard drives (120 Gb and 160 Gb) (EIDE)
1 floppy drive (IDE)
1 DVD-RW/CDRW drive (EIDE)
1 CDRW drive (USB)
1 35mm Film Scanner (USB)
1 HP flatbed scanner (USB)
4 USB 2.0 ports (on motherboard)
4 Firewire ports (add-on PCI card)
On-board video with standard VGA plug connection
XVGA monitor
On-board Ethernet 10/100
1 Parallel port
1 Serial port
PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports
On-board audio
1 HP inkjet printer (USB 2.0)

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jeff;
You will need to perform a Repair Installation to properly detect the
new hardware.
You will then need to activate Windows again.

Repair Installation:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
Windows Updates will need to be reinstalled.
Data should be safe, back-up important data just in case.
Install Service Pack first and by itself.
Then install ALL Critical Updates no more than 4 at a time,

Disconnect the network/modem cable before starting repair and do NOT
reconnect the cable until repair is completed and firewall is
installed/enabled.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

 

[bud]

Yes it will be a problem. You will at least have to do a repair install and
then reinstall all the updates again. you could need to do a complete
reload. XP doesn't like that sort of hardware change.

 

[Bastet]

I am considering upgrading to a new P4 with appropriate motherboard.
I want to swap out the motherboard and processor, and leave the
remaining configuration pretty much alone. Some side notes: This is
Windows XP Pro loaded several months ago. I just upgraded my hard
drive from a 40 Gb to a 120 Gb drive using Ghost. Because the system
is stable, and I don't want to reload everything from scratch, are
there any potential problems I should look out for? Will doing this
trigger a call to Microsoft to reactivate the OS?

I know, I should take the opportunity to do a fresh reload, and maybe
I will once I get the time. But for now, I really need to upgrade my
system so that I can get some new work done.

JWeinberg

Current config:

Windows XP Pro with all service pack and patches loaded
P3 1Ghz Intel processor
Intel motherboard 133 Mhz bus
512 Mb of 133 Mhz RAM (2 sticks)
2 hard drives (120 Gb and 160 Gb) (EIDE)
1 floppy drive (IDE)
1 DVD-RW/CDRW drive (EIDE)
1 CDRW drive (USB)
1 35mm Film Scanner (USB)
1 HP flatbed scanner (USB)
2 USB 1.1 ports (on motherboard)
4 USB 2.0 ports (add-on PCI card)
2 Firewire ports (add-on PCI card)
On-board video w/16Mb of memory with standard VGA plug connection
XVGA monitor
On-board Ethernet 10/100
1 Parallel port
1 Serial port
PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports
On-board audio
1 HP inkjet printer (USB 2.0)


Considered configuration:

Windows XP Pro with all service pack and patches loaded
P4 2.6Ghz Intel processor
Intel motherboard 800 Mhz front side bus
1 Gb of 800 Mhz RAM (2 sticks)
2 hard drives (120 Gb and 160 Gb) (EIDE)
1 floppy drive (IDE)
1 DVD-RW/CDRW drive (EIDE)
1 CDRW drive (USB)
1 35mm Film Scanner (USB)
1 HP flatbed scanner (USB)
4 USB 2.0 ports (on motherboard)
4 Firewire ports (add-on PCI card)
On-board video with standard VGA plug connection
XVGA monitor
On-board Ethernet 10/100
1 Parallel port
1 Serial port
PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports
On-board audio
1 HP inkjet printer (USB 2.0)

FYI you will need to change the RAM at the same time as the motherboard and
CPU - you cannot use PC133 RAM in a P4 motherboard.

I would strongly advise against using on board graphics and sound. Not only
does o/b video eat into your system RAM, but the quality is, to use the
vernacular, crap. As I see you're into photo editing, you would be well
advised to purchase a proper graphics card with at least 64MB of graphics
memory. I've not used on-board VGA for many years, but I can't imagine the
quality's improved significantly (though I hear that the nForce 2 boards
have reasonable output). Money's obviously not too much of an object, so I'd
recommend a later ATI card (I use a 9700 Pro AIW that does me just fine).

I also can't understand why you're so hung up on HP. Their track record for
support is second to well, everyone else's. If you want a decent printer,
buy a Canon. No, I don't work for them I'm just a very happy customer. I
know nothing about HP scanners as I've never owned one, but I'm switching my
'darkroom' over to Canon completely - printer, scanner and, eventually,
camera.

Just my 2p's worth...

 

[Jeff Weinberg]

Thanks. I've owned Canon printers before, but wasn't impressed with their
reliability. Generally the print head got clogged and I ended up getting a
new printer after many frustrating unsuccessful efforts to correct the
problem. Most people in digital photography use Epson or HP Photosmart
printers. More Epson's than HP. However, I've been hearing more about
print head problems from the Epson camp. There's one recommendation from
Epson to leave their photo printers on all the time to keep the heads
charged and their inks from drying out. The primary reason I use HP is
because when you change out the ink cartridge, you also change out the print
head. Yes, the HP cartridges are about twice as expensive, but the print
is, IMHO, more consistent. And if a cartridge is bad, I return it to the
store, and the problem is resolved.

As for technical support, they're all crap. Made a call lately? Most calls
are routed overseas. I can get much better answers to my questions here on
these boards than from most all the "techs" that man the phones. So, for
me, tech support is not an issue, since the manufacturer help line is
generally the last resource I use.

Your comment about the video card is well taken. You're right. Now that my
video requirements are higher, I should be looking at a good AGP card for
better rendering and resolution. Maybe Santa will be kind to me this year.

Thanks for your input.

JWeinberg

 

[Bastet]

Thanks. I've owned Canon printers before, but wasn't impressed with
their reliability. Generally the print head got clogged and I ended
up getting a new printer after many frustrating unsuccessful efforts
to correct the problem. Most people in digital photography use Epson
or HP Photosmart printers.

Incorrect. Most people use Canons these days. Why? Because they don't clog,
the prints don't fade and they're economical to run. Just ask the folks in a
digital photography forum - I bet at least 85% of them use Canons. Buy some
digital photography magazines - what brand is winning the awards these days?
Is it Epson? HP? Nope, you guessed it, it's Canon. Why? Several reasons: -

1) The prints don't suffer from magenta/orange/red shift like images from
the new Epsons do

2) They are /far/ more economical to run (I have an i9100 - carts are £10
each compared to £20 for the PS 7960 and £14 for a ESP2100) - plus they hold
more ink. Yes, Epson and HP /may/ have more cartridges (and thus boast more
realistic looking prints, allegedly) but the prints I've seen from the 7690
and 2100 have been plagued by banding. HP also have a nasty habit of
quitting driver support for their printers as soon as the warranty expires.


More Epson's than HP. However, I've been

hearing more about print head problems from the Epson camp. There's
one recommendation from Epson to leave their photo printers on all
the time to keep the heads charged and their inks from drying out.

This is, of course, a load of bullcrap. I used Epsons for years (over 20)
and they all sufferef from head clogs whether you left them on or not.
Unless, and until, they change the ink formulation this will forever be a
problem.

The primary reason I use HP is because when you change out the ink
cartridge, you also change out the print head. Yes, the HP
cartridges are about twice as expensive, but the print is, IMHO, more
consistent. And if a cartridge is bad, I return it to the store, and
the problem is resolved.

Not anymore. The carts for the latest models do not have an in-built
printhead - in fact, they look almost identical to Epson.

As for technical support, they're all crap.

I would concur there - well, for Epson, at least - I've not had reason to
call Canon TS yet.

Made a call lately?

Most calls are routed overseas.

Not true - I know exactly where Epson's UK HQ and call centre is - in a
trading estate not 30 miles away from where I'm sitting right now. I went
there for a job interview a few years ago. It always bugged me when I
called TS, because I had to call a national rate number for what should have
been a local rate call!

I can get much better answers to my

questions here on these boards than from most all the "techs" that
man the phones. So, for me, tech support is not an issue, since the
manufacturer help line is generally the last resource I use.

Your comment about the video card is well taken. You're right. Now
that my video requirements are higher, I should be looking at a good
AGP card for better rendering and resolution. Maybe Santa will be
kind to me this year.

I'm right?! Wow! Now there's a first! ;o)

I'm just trying to be helpful. I shouldn't have pushed my personal opinions
on you - that wasn't fair.

Thanks for your input.

You're welcome anytime. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving...

 

[Jeff Weinberg]

Thanks for the feedback, but I gather you're "across the pond". Things are
a bit different over here. Most all the photographers in my neck of the
woods use Epson, a few HP's, and almost no Canons. Why? I couldn't
honestly tell you.

Every tech support call I've placed for various manufacturers for the past
year, including Epson, even to ask pre-sales questions, at least from here,
has gone overseas. I haven't hit domestic support until I reach level two
or three support.

As for the video card. I called and placed an order for a 64 Mb card today
for the upgrade.

JWeinberg

 

[Bastet]

Thanks for the feedback, but I gather you're "across the pond".
Things are a bit different over here. Most all the photographers in
my neck of the woods use Epson, a few HP's, and almost no Canons.
Why? I couldn't honestly tell you.

Every tech support call I've placed for various manufacturers for the
past year, including Epson, even to ask pre-sales questions, at least
from here, has gone overseas. I haven't hit domestic support until I
reach level two or three support.

As for the video card. I called and placed an order for a 64 Mb card
today for the upgrade.

JWeinberg

Actually all the digital photographers I know are American - and they *ALL*
(nearly without exception) use Canons (just pop over to
alt.comp.periphs.dcameras - available on your ISP's server and ask there).