HELP: Replacing mobo/processor

[timcheng00]

I recently shipped my computer across the country, something I will never do again. Heatsink came off, and now both the processor and motherboard are toasted. I was just wondering if I were to replace the motherboard (8rda+), would I be able to just plug in all my cards and drives and still retain my old OS/programs/files? I'm fairly certain that the HD still works but I'm at a small college and everyone here seems to have laptops, so I haven't had a chance to test it. Also, I am getting an insurance check, possibly for the full amount of my computer. If I were to switch to a P4 board and processor, what impact would that have with my old HD and data? Thanks

 

[egale]

If you replace your mobo with the same one, it should be no problem. As soon as you change mobos, the OS is going to need to load new drivers for the different chipset(s). The chances of this working are not 100% and even if it does work, you may not have a very stable machine. Also you will have to reactivate XP if that is what you are running.

You can back up your data and give it a try. If it works, great and if not you at least have everything backed up before you reformat.