Changing system, should I re-install the OS?

[Zenoth]

Hey guys,

There's something I never tried before and now I am tempted to do. I'll soon be changing my Motherboard, Memory and CPU. If I completely un-install each and every single drivers I have (Audio, Monitor, GPU, Chipset and CPU) and remove all traces in Safe Mode with software like Driver Cleaner and Driver Sweeper, along with the CAB files, then would it be safe to just keep that "un-driver'ed" OS installation with the new hardware? Will it safely boot?

Usually I just back-up all my stuff in advance and completely reformat, but this time I'm a little short on time for backing up 250+ GB of data on single-layer DVD's. So I wanted to know if what I'm intending to do is actually feasible?

 

[robisbell]

the best thing is to back up your important documents and wipe the HDD partition and reload the OS.

 

[bwatson283]

you might be ok, but you may have to reactivate. Since the Hardware ID that MS uses to active has now changed with all those upgrades. Hope you aren't using an OEM copy.

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: robisbell
the best thing is to back up your important documents and wipe the HDD partition and reload the OS.

But he said he didn't want to with all of his stuff.

 

[Zenoth]

My Windows XP isn't OEM, I got the original retail version and the CD-ROM itself.

 

[robisbell]

doesn't matter if it's oem or not. his best bet would be to backup and reinstall Xp fresh.

 

[cvstrat]

Yes you can.... you can just swap the hardware out and boot back up. Windows will automatically force you to re-activate so be prepared to call it in.

However the best part of new hardware is having a fresh OS install. No matter how clean you are your hard drive gets junked up over time. A fresh install with new hardware is the way to go.

Also I wouldn't recommend storing all of your data on the same drive you have windows installed on. This is a perfect example of where having all of your data on a 500gb secondary would make it an easy wipe/reinstall. Hard drives are cheap as hell, save up and get a big one, copy over your data, wipe and reinstall.

 

[JustaGeek]

I used the Repair Install option when I changed my motherboard over 1 year ago and it worked perfectly.

Obviously, you'll have to call to reactivate Windows - different Mac Address, CPU and amount of RAM.

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
Hey guys,

There's something I never tried before and now I am tempted to do. I'll soon be changing my Motherboard, Memory and CPU. If I completely un-install each and every single drivers I have (Audio, Monitor, GPU, Chipset and CPU) and remove all traces in Safe Mode with software like Driver Cleaner and Driver Sweeper, along with the CAB files, then would it be safe to just keep that "un-driver'ed" OS installation with the new hardware? Will it safely boot?

Usually I just back-up all my stuff in advance and completely reformat, but this time I'm a little short on time for backing up 250+ GB of data on single-layer DVD's. So I wanted to know if what I'm intending to do is actually feasible?

If the HAL and IDE controller is the same (and/or the IDE controller is compatible between the two) it will boot up and PnP the rest of your hardware. If not, it won't.

If not, you'll be able to do a repair install (google...) to fix the issue and make your system bootable. You'd need to reinstall any Windows updates/servicepacks/etc., but your data/applications would be present and, for the most part, fully working.

 

[Zenoth]

Alright, thanks guys.

I think I will just back-up everything and delay the install by maybe a week, that won't be the end of the world, I'll just need patience.