May have to swap out motherboard. Have a question.

[algae]

Due to recent issues with the RAM slots on my older pc ( Motherboard is a MSI K7T 266 Pro 2) I may have to get a new motherboard. What do I need to be aware of regarding my current software installations, etc. when doing this. I don't want to have to format and reinstall everything if possible. Can I just install the new mobo, chipset drivers, etc.?
Tia
Gary

 

[christopherzombie]

If you don't want to reformat - buy the same mobo, or chipset you had before (a KT-266 will be hard to find). You can try to uninstall/reinstall drivers, but there is just way too much going on with most mobos to do this. I tried this once, when I went from an nFocre1 to an nForce2, and it didn't work!! And these two boards use the same driver!! Bite the bullet and reformat. This is the only sure way to get everything working correctly.

 

[keeleysam]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-185-010&depa=1

It's PcChips, but I have had good experience with that particular board. You shouldn't have to reformat.

 

[algae]

Sounds like one of those times that I may as well bite the bullet and reformat)

Gary

 

[Peter]

The M811 is a good mainboard - it's cheap because they must have gotten a bargain on the leftover KT266A chips ...

 

[airfoil]

Originally posted by: algae
Sounds like one of those times that I may as well bite the bullet and reformat)

Gary

And you wont regret it!

 

[unclebabar]

For Micro$oft, look up sysprep on their website. Worked for me on Win2000. Basically run the program to reset the drivers. Then a reboot results in a quasi-install - doing config stuff, but not much of the obscure driver detection or file moving. Your installed application software will remain intact.

 

[algae]

Thanks.

G.

 

[TStep]

You may want to try this