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Doing a mobo upgrade.

fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
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In the past with XP I've always done a format after upgrading my mobo. Now with Vista x64... would simply repairing the current Vista install after putting in the mobo work? I think I can also do sysprep. Or I could just format.
 
I don't have the "first hand" experience with Vista Repair Install, but I don't see any reasons why it should not work.

You might have to call Microsoft to activate it, though.

And make absolutely sure that your RAM settings on the new motherboard are done properly in BIOS - but you know that already, correct...? 😉

And I would initially do it with only 2GB of RAM installed - just in case your new MB suffers from the >3GB bug.
 
Thanks for the tips. Anyone else with first-hand experience? I don't want to install the mobo and everything and put my HDD and programs on the line just to find out that Repair failed, which considering my luck is exactly what will happen. I've used repair numerous times with XP and not once has it actually done its namesake.
 
I went from an P965 chipset mobo to a P35 chipset mobo without having to re-install or do the repair. All I did was after booting into windows was downloaded the inf. chipset files from Intel and installed it.
 
I see no repair option for Vista. Startup Repair, but not Repair Install as was on XP.

I'm too new to Vista to have any first-hand experience with motherboard swapping. XP yes, Vista no.

I'd do a lot more research before attempting this. Google isn't coming up with any good information for me. I guess it goes without saying that you don't have an OEM version.
 
I did a mb swap on XP with no reinstall or repair. I'd start by just installing the hardware, booting, and seeing what happens.

I'm not sure what you mean by putting your HD and programs on the line, since you'd have to reinstall them anyway if you reformatted (?). Make sure everything important is backed up of course.
 
Uggg.... I guess something like sysprep might be the most hassle free method? I did sysprep back in the WinXP days and it worked like a charm.
 
I'm kinda looking to swap out motherboards on the same PC (going from a 780i to a P35 board). I've never seen sysprep before.....but after reading a little it seems that it is meant to image from a reference pc to any downstream pc's on a Windows server 2003 environment. It seems that this tool was made for convenience in large IS environments...I don't reallly see where it would be of use in a single computer upgrade situation? Or am I missing something obvious....😉

I'm just going to roll the dice! If I screw my install of Vista....I'll just reinstall it again. THIS is why I bought 2 hard drives......One for my stuff, and one just for Vista.


Cyko
 
Originally posted by: Cykoth
I'm kinda looking to swap out motherboards on the same PC (going from a 780i to a P35 board). I've never seen sysprep before.....but after reading a little it seems that it is meant to image from a reference pc to any downstream pc's on a Windows server 2003 environment. It seems that this tool was made for convenience in large IS environments...I don't reallly see where it would be of use in a single computer upgrade situation? Or am I missing something obvious....😉

I'm just going to roll the dice! If I screw my install of Vista....I'll just reinstall it again. THIS is why I bought 2 hard drives......One for my stuff, and one just for Vista.


Cyko
Click to expand...


So you're running Vista with all the programs that you want and stuff. But you're going to be upgrading your motherboard.

Using sysprep, you can, among other things, wipe out all traces of drivers and hardware registration on a Vista install.

So you sysprep your system, install the motherboard, and when Windows boots up it'll be like booting up for the first time: but with all your programs "pre-installed." You just have to upgrade your drivers.

Sysprep can be used on one computer or many computers. It can be used to pre-install software like Photoshop into Vista to be deployed on a bunch of computers with the same hardware configuration, or deployed on a bunch of computers with different hardware configuration. It doesn't matter because the hardware drivers are wiped beforehand.

Just think of it as Vista with Photoshop, Firefox, your games, etc, already pre-installed and ready to be installed onto any computer with any hardware config that supports Vista.

You'll have to re-register Vista though.
 
Is it not easier and cleaner with better performance to reinstall and once setup take a ghost. I personally really like a clean install but understand the hassle if you don't have a lot of spare time.
 
Originally posted by: jameswhite1979
Is it not easier and cleaner with better performance to reinstall and once setup take a ghost. I personally really like a clean install but understand the hassle if you don't have a lot of spare time.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is easier IF you have the same motherboard.

If you take a ghost of your system with XXX motherboard drivers, then upgrade your system with a YYY motherboard and then try to install this XXX motherboard ghost onto your YYY motherboard, it's not going to work very well.

Clean installs are always the best, but of course it can take a long time to get back to your normal running state. When I completely reinstalled it took me 14 solid hours to get back to somewhat of a working state. Backing up savegames, program settings, etc. Then doing the actual hardware install. Then installing Vista. Then installing drivers. Then reinstalling all of the programs again and making sure they work. I worked from 5PM to 7AM in the morning. NOT fun. I immediately made a few images.

If I ever upgrade my mobo again, I'm going to install this image and then do sysprep on it so I don't have to go through all the hassle of reinstalling programs.
 
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