Upgrading Motherboard

[Shawn]

I want to upgrade my motherboard and processor. I have
heard that if I do this I will have to reinstall Windows
and re-activate. I do not have a problem with re-
activation; but, my question is do I have to reinstall
Windows?

I do not really want to start over with a fresh
installation.

 

[Bob Day]

I want to upgrade my motherboard and processor. I have
heard that if I do this I will have to reinstall Windows
and re-activate. I do not have a problem with re-
activation; but, my question is do I have to reinstall
Windows?

I do not really want to start over with a fresh
installation.

You'll have to do a "repair install" see:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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

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

This will also 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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having both at once. - RAH

 

[Andy H]

If you have your own copy of WinXP. My suggestion is to
get a new motherboard that is using the same chipset.
If for example you have a Via based chipset, then you
will want to get a VIA based upgrade. The reason for this
is that all the motherboard drivers are the same. This
method will avoid having to re-install winXP. This is a
technique I have used in the past to great success.

You may however, have to reactivate winXP.
However, both of the previous methods you will have to re-
activate.

I hope this helps.

 

[Shawn]

Thanks for all your help, the links you provided me were
quite helpful. The orginal computer that I am upgrading
from was built by me and the OS is a retail version;
nothing OEM. I just need a faster processor and my
current MB will not support the speed I want.

-Shawn