Can i install a new MB without reformatting the HD?

[alm4rr]

Can i install a new MB without reformatting the HD?

my MB might not be any good and if i end up buying a new one, id rather just slip the new MB in and reconnect and turn it on without having to lose all the data that hadnt been backed up yet.

thanx

 

[pulse8]

I wouldn't recommend it if you're going from an AMD to an Intel setup.

However, I went from an Intel PIII setup to my current P4 setup (both using Intel chipsets) and I didn't have a problem.

 

[alm4rr]

i have a duron and would just transplant all the hardware into the new MB. I would go from a MSI mb to another MSI mb with a KT133 to a KT133a chipset.

Do you think that I can pull it off?

 

[pulse8]

I'd say you should be fine. You may see instability issues, but at that point you can safely back up your data and then reformat.

 

[osage]

should be doable

 

[Vette73]

What has no one asked WHAT OS ARE YOU RUNNING??

If it is Win XP then you should have no problem, just put the CD in and you might have ti run repair, like a install but just upadtes the OS and keeps all your old files/games there.
I know, I went from Athlon 1700+/KT266a to a Dual 1Ghz Duron/760MPX and I ma 100% Stable

But if it is Win 9X, goodluck, and like someone else said, Backup anything important.

 

[osage]

for me win98se has been very easy..I have jumped from KT133 to KT133A without problems, KT133A to KT266A, no problems..also from SIS735 to KT266A with no real dificulty. Win98se will detect a few new pieces of hardware and want to be pointed to some drivers, but no problems.

This is of course not the right way of doing it, but it can be done when pressed for time, needing to do some testing etc: For long term stability and performance it is alway best to format and do a fresh install.

 

[alm4rr]

i have win98se
my biggest worry is that in doing so i would fry something (which i believe is possible if i tried with win95)

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: alm4rr
i have win98se
my biggest worry is that in doing so i would fry something (which i believe is possible if i tried with win95)

I don't think it will hurt any hardware, but you may lose some data if it does not work out.
How much stuff do you have, if it is not much burn it to a CD and format and re-install the os then put your backup stuff on it.

 

[Elminster]

this might not relate to you but just wanted to say that win xp pro hates changes in board chipsets. if you get a new board and don't reinstall xp it will hang every time when it hits the board drivers because it tries to load the drivers for the old board and doesn't try to change for the new one. this takes place before you even enter windows.

 

[mmesker]

Just because you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

I'd back my stuff up and reinstall. Its not that big a of problem.

 

[Elvis2]

Just because you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should

That is correct. I tried switching boards once without reformatting. Went from running 98SE on a KT133a to a KT266a and while it did work, I'd get occasional lockups. Do yourself a favor and reformat. Systems love a clean install. Maybe I have too much time on my hands but I reformat about every six months or whenever I do a major hardware upgrade. Keeps the hassles to a minimum.

 

[Stylez]

I've done it before and it worked fine
but its always better to reinstall the OS

 

[Curley]

Elvis2, I agree. I would not run a system very long after swaping mobos with not reformat. To get the machine up and running until you can save your data and then reformat. I would not do it voluntarily but only if the mobo died.

 

[alm4rr]

thanx for the tips guys. i only plan on doing it for a VERY brief amount of time. i have a 2nd hd (4gig) - i will format that.

i will boot (with new mobo (cuz my old one is fried )) with a boot disk to DOS, format, then copy the files i want over to the 2nd hd (which will be set as primary (the 4 gig one) and then i will reformat the 30 gig HD, then reinstall win98se.


sorry for the confusion heh... boy, mobo probs sure are inconvenient!

 

[Pluto]

alm4rr, watch out copying files from your current HDD to a backup drive using DOS, you may lose all your long filenames. For the time it takes it might be worth installing a basic Win98 install on your spare 4 gig drive, get into windows long enough to back up the files from the 30 gig, then format and install win98 on it.

Although in reality you should be able to boot into windows from the existing install on the 30gig drive, just skip all the new hardware detected, you might only be running in 640x480 but it would be good enough to get your files copied onto the spare 4gig. If it doesn't work, no harm done your data on the 30gig will be intact and you can use the other method from above.

Another option would be to just delete (or rename) the 'windows' and 'program files' folder on your existing drive from a command prompt, and install Windows on the drive as if it was formatted. I've done this several times and it always works well. You just gotta watch that if you rename windows, the Win98 setup program will see it and try to install over top of it into that renamed windows folder, you have to specify a new folder for the install.

 

[alm4rr]

thanx for that observation, i hadn't taken that into consideration,.