___ Swapping nForce2 MBs... Do I HAVE to reformat & reload? ___

[Blain]

I built a system for someone. I'm thinking of swapping out her MB because of odd & random errors.
I've updated the BIOS to the latest... set the memory to conservative settings... added a better HS/fan to the CPU... updated the nForce2 unified drivers.

Anyway, the MB she now has is an AOpen AK79G-1394 (nForce2 with IGP). I'm thinking of replacing it with an AOpen AK79G Max (nForce2 with IGP & more features).

Seeing as how both of them are AOpen nForce2 MBs, would a reformat & reload be necessary?

 

[MDE]

Shouldn't have to. Worst case is it doesn't work and you need to reinstall Windows. Just backup everything to a different drive temporarily to be safe before you swap boards.

 

[Technonut]

Have you tried a fresh format and 98SE install on the AK79G-1394? If not, I would do that before trying another mobo. If that does not do the trick, I would throw a WinXP install on the AK79G-1394 for troubleshooting purposes.... If that clears things up, perhaps your friend will see that XP is a much better OS and purchase it.

EDIT: If you decide to swap in the AOpen AK79G Max, I would just go ahead and do a fresh OS install.... May save you some time and headaches in the long run...

 

[Blain]

Thanks for the help.
Even though she wanted 98SE, she paid me for a solid, properly working system. If she'll go with the XP Home, I wouldn't charge her.

I'm thinking the full XP Home offers the option of upgrading over the 98SE. If it doesn't clear up the problems, I could always remove the XP in the "Add/Remove Programs".
I don't really like the idea of upgrading over the 98SE. I'd rather do a fresh install, if she'll go with the XP.

BTW, I told her beforehand that XP would be a more stable OS than 98SE. Turns out ALL the apps she's running for the business are new and would run under XP with no problem.
I guess it was the idea of learning a new OS, that kept her away from XP.

She has been able to work through the random errors without much problem. They're more of an annoyance than anything.

 

[pspada]

I don't think the nForce2 drivers support Win98.

 

[Blain]

They do

 

[Aenslead]

For safety reasons, yes, you should reinstall Windows. Otherwise, you may bump into small problems, glitches, or bugs.