Is it best to format after installing a new motherboard and processor?

[Nocturnal]

???

I installed my old hard drive fine and it works. Although I have to re-activate Windows and Office. Also my e-mail for some reason won't connect out to my ISP's server.

 

[notfred]

No one here actually knows, but plenty of people will offer thier opinions anyway. I say, if you're happy with the way it's working, just leave it.

 

[Insane3D]

I always do a fresh install when I install anything new...with the exception of optical drives and such. A motherboard switch more than qualifies for fresh install.

 

[OverVolt]

I've not done a fresh install with a new mobo, and it works fine, i don't think it really matters, just do it right.

 

[Twista]

if the mobo has differnt chipsets/cpu brand (like amd to intel or intel to amd) than i can say Yes or . For cpu no, sound card no, vid card no, hdd no, ram, no. You get the deal.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
I've not done a fresh install with a new mobo, and it works fine, i don't think it really matters, just do it right.

Yes, it does...especially if you are going to a whole new chipset. Here...try this. Load up Windows XP on an Intel/Intel system, then switch the motherboard and CPU out to a NF2/AMD setup and see if windows doesn't mind....K?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I was told that whenever you change a motherboard, you will be forced to reinstall windows. True?

 

[Insane3D]

It depends. If you are switching to a mobo with the same chipset, or a similar one, you might not need to. For instance, going from a NF1 to a NF2 system, or going from a intel based board to another intel based board. However, it's usually a better idea to do a fresh install.

 

[Yossarian]

yes it is best. it is even better than best to post in the right forum.

 

[Eli]

It's best, but it isn't always necessary.

 

[DrPizza]

oddly, I'd think the people in these forums wouldn't bat an eyelash over formatting.
Heck, format just because it's Easter or something. (But, a new MB is a much better reason)

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Is it best to format after installing a new motherboard and processor?

Absolutely Needed? No. Best? Yes.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Eli
It's best, but it isn't always necessary.

Varying hardware/software configurations always make this question a YMMV, but I have successfully moved a Windows installation from one system to a new one without a reformat, although I did take some precautionary steps like deleting the hardware configuration prior to booting on the new system.

 

[dabuddha]

Good question. I currently have an shuttle AK32L motherboard (xp1900+ cpu) I was going to go get a nforce 2 chipset motherboard and wasn't sure if I had to reformat. Could I just go into device manager, delete all the system devices, shutdown, install the new motherboard, and restart up? Reformatting will be hard for me but not impossible

 

[Vortex22]

I had to reinstall when I put a new mobo in my old comp. Windows was screwed.