upgrading motherboard

[pete]

I am fitting a new motherboard and processor and my os is
xp home, upgraded from preinstalled windows me. Can i do
this without reinstalling the os; if not how do i do this

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Normally, assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is
virtually identical to the old one (same chipset, same IDE
controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), 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

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

This will probably also require re-activation. 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

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Scott]

Hello Pete,

It is frequently possible to replace a motherboard on an
existing OS install; however; it very rarely works without
issues. this is because the all the hardware devices,
controlers, drivers, Registry entrys, etc... are all
assigned installed and assigned to the origianl
Motherboard. Installing a differnt motherboard may or may
not work and if it does successfully complet installing
the new board. you will have compatability issues because
the registry will still have all the orignal (legacy)
components installed as well.

I do not recommend replacing the Motherboard in your
existing OS install. The recommended and Supported method
of replacing a Motherboard is to back-up all important
Data and format oyu hard drive. Insttall teh new
Motherboard and then perform a clean Install of Windows Xp
Home. You can do a full & clean install by booting to the
Windows XP Home CD. If it is an upgrade version, you can
still do this; it will ask you during install to remove
the CD and insert the Windows ME CD to verify you are a
preevious owner of the OS. After this is completed; setup
will then instruct you to remove the Windows ME CD and
then Reinsert the Windows XP CD and resume the install.
This method is actually much better than upgrading from
Windows ME as there will be know remaining legecy
configurations in Windows XP.

Although you will need to re-install all your
applications; your OS will perform better and be much more
stable than an upgrade.

I hope this helps you answer your question.

Thank You For Using Microsoft Newsgroups.
-Scott

 

[Ron Martell]

I do not recommend replacing the Motherboard in your
existing OS install. The recommended and Supported method
of replacing a Motherboard is to back-up all important
Data and format oyu hard drive. Insttall teh new
Motherboard and then perform a clean Install of Windows Xp
Home. You can do a full & clean install by booting to the
Windows XP Home CD. If it is an upgrade version, you can
still do this; it will ask you during install to remove
the CD and insert the Windows ME CD to verify you are a
preevious owner of the OS. After this is completed; setup
will then instruct you to remove the Windows ME CD and
then Reinsert the Windows XP CD and resume the install.
This method is actually much better than upgrading from
Windows ME as there will be know remaining legecy
configurations in Windows XP.

Although you will need to re-install all your
applications; your OS will perform better and be much more
stable than an upgrade.

Repair Installs of Windows XP are also supported, at least by
Microsoft and by the MVPs if not by you.

And if you are advocating a clean install method then you should also
provide information about the Files And Settings Transfer Wizard in
Windows XP which greatly reduces the workload and disruption involved
in doing a clean install.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."