Intel based mb swap out in XP

[Carrot44]

I am swaping out mb's from a msi 645 to a Asus P4P800 865 mb.

What is the best way of going about this without having to format c:/ I want to keep everything intact.

Ken

 

[us3rnotfound]

how "fresh" is your install of windows? Since it's XP, and I've seen it done many times just fine, then you could get away with just swapping the motherboards.

But, if it was me, I would reformat.

 

[Carrot44]

A bit over a year old I believe. Problem is there are two accounts on it and way to much to just format. Even though I would love to and put Linux on it

 

[MDE]

Back up your Documents and Settings folder and there's your account settings.

 

[Buz2b]

You might want to read this article from the AT FAQ's about doing just such a thing. I've seen others say it works but never tried myslef. As to having too much to do a reformat you could, as was sort of suggested, run the "Transfer files and settings" procedure and copy it to a CDR. Then reformat and copy back the files and settings. You'd still have to load the programs first though. However, maybe you should consider this: If you feel that there is "way too much to just format"right now, what will you do when your OS goes south as it is likely to do sooner or later. A bit of inconvenience now is a heck of a lot better than going through the mess of losing it all later.

 

[nwfsnake]

I just went from an MSI 655 based MB to the ASUS P4P800. Just use the recover option in XP (there is a good article at the MS expert tip site on this) and you won't loose a thing.

 

[Carrot44]

Thanks all

Let ya know this weekend how it works out

nwfsnake What drivers for the chipset did you have to use from the CD?
Did not get the driver cd for my Asus P4P800 and need to download the correct ones.

Ken