Can I upgrade processor WITHOUT doing a system restore/recovery?

[jakobkraft]

I have the opportunity to upgrade my processor from a 2.0 to 2.4 but since I don't suspect the difference will be overwhelming I won't do it if it means I have to blank out my hard drive and reinstall everything. I defrag regularly, run weekly virus checks, have over 23 apps which I actually use, configured just the way I like them, and even more games, also finely tuned. I know some people do restores like every weekend but I don't believe in that. I like maintaining and fine-tuning as you go.



So bottom line - can I upgrade my processor without affecting any of my hard drive data?

 

[oldfart]

Just put it in and boot up. No OS changes are needed.

 

[jakobkraft]

Exactly what I wanted to hear, thanks


Incidentally, is there anywhere I can go to get, let's say, an idiot's guide to installing a processor? A friend's bringing this over and I have to assume that he's bringing the processor and nothing else....

 

[Mday]

i would recommend a reinstallation of the OS if you used a new motherboard. but that's about it. anything else can be done without a full OS reinstall. of course it depends on when the last time you installed your OS was, and what you have installed and uninstalled on it since then.

so, basically, you dont have to reinstall your operating system. nor do you really have to "restore/recover". and as always, frequent backups are your friends.

 

[cchen]

You only have to do that when you're upgrading to another chipset. I.e. different kind of processor (tbird to barton maybe)

 

[TROGDORdBURNINATOR]

You only have to do that when you're upgrading to another chipset. I.e. different kind of processor (tbird to barton maybe)

Umm...not even then. You only have to do that when you change your chipset. Chipset means northbridge, not CPU.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: TROGDORdBURNINATOR

You only have to do that when you're upgrading to another chipset. I.e. different kind of processor (tbird to barton maybe)

Umm...not even then. You only have to do that when you change your chipset. Chipset means northbridge, not CPU.

Unless you went from a non-HT P4 to a HT P4...then I could see having to reinstall the OS to enable the dual CPU support.

 

[Harabecw]

If I change the chipset to a new Springdale, what would happen in XP? last I heard is suddenly detends my hardware as new?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: jakobkraft
Exactly what I wanted to hear, thanks


Incidentally, is there anywhere I can go to get, let's say, an idiot's guide to installing a processor? A friend's bringing this over and I have to assume that he's bringing the processor and nothing else....

to install a cpu, remove fan(easy to do)
MAKE SURE YOU open the ziff socket by turning the lever up so that it points straight up.
Pull CPU straight out, do not twist, rock or cradle it out, a straight up motion is all you need.

To install follow these steps in reverse.

 

[Budman]

If it's a P4 with the thermal pad that came with it make sure you heat up the cpu before you try & remove that heatsink.

Because that thermal pad melts to the cpu an when cold it's very hard to remove the heatsink & if you're not carefull you might pull on it & pull the cpu right off with a few pins with it!!!