Motherboard Replacement

[Durvelle27]

can i replace my motherboard with out changing the HDD or reinstalling windows ?

 

[Phanuel]

Swapped out a motherboard, cpu, and memory in one go when I wanted to switch to a smaller form factor with Win7 installed.

ATX i7 860 to an mATX i5 3570K.

Then swapped out my parent's computer from a E6850(?) to the i7 860 and an 8800GT to a ATi 4870 at the same time.


All I had to do was install some chipset drivers and get new video drivers for the video card swap which Windows update took care of.

No OS re-installs of any kind, both systems are 100% functional.

 

[LoveMachine]

Depends on how much you change. Going from AMD to AMD, you're probably OK. Different CPU brand + new video card + etc. Windows feels you changed too much and wants a new license key. I don't know what the deciding factor is, though. If it's just a MB, same CPU, same everything else, highly unlikely you will have any problems.

 

[Durvelle27]

Depends on how much you change. Going from AMD to AMD, you're probably OK. Different CPU brand + new video card + etc. Windows feels you changed too much and wants a new license key. I don't know what the deciding factor is, though. If it's just a MB, same CPU, same everything else, highly unlikely you will have any problems.

nope the only thing i'm changing is the board nothing else

 

[alexruiz]

Which is the best motherboard to get ? thx

The EVO has 2 additional eSATA ports (JMicrom JMB363) firewire and header for front USB 3.0. There is already a M5A97 R2.0 that adds the front usb 3.0 header.

Personally, the gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 is a better board (no UEFI though) and I really like the Biostar TA970XE (no front usb 3.0 header, but has UEFI BIOS)

To be honest, any 970 board will do fine, but those 2 are my picks.

 

[Durvelle27]

The EVO has 2 additional eSATA ports (JMicrom JMB363) firewire and header for front USB 3.0. There is already a M5A97 R2.0 that adds the front usb 3.0 header.

Personally, the gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 is a better board (no UEFI though) and I really like the Biostar TA970XE (no front usb 3.0 header, but has UEFI BIOS)

To be honest, any 970 board will do fine, but those 2 are my picks.

well if they were $60 new then i would have considered them but there not that's why i asked about these

 

[alexruiz]

well if they were $60 new then i would have considered them but there not that's why i asked about these

$60? Where?

 

[Durvelle27]

$60? Where?

picked up the ASUS M5A97 EVO NIB on Hardfourms for $60

 

[Durvelle27]

back to the topic before this one. i tried replacing the board but after the windows 7 splash screen then i get a blue screen and the pc restarts

 

[BonzaiDuck]

back to the topic before this one. i tried replacing the board but after the windows 7 splash screen then i get a blue screen and the pc restarts

The experiences of our colleagues here differ. It depends on the motherboard chipset and the processor, I would think. Obviously, changing from AMD to INtel or vice-versa means a different chipset.

It's likely you wouldn't have to do anything if moving from -- say -- a Z68 to Z77 chipset.

In your case, perhaps try to run the Windows install disc to "repair."

 

[NickelPlate]

I've personally never had great results switching out motherboards on the same installation of Windows and some that flat out didn't work at all. When they did, things were just flaky. I'd recommend a fresh OS and driver installation.

 

[Phanuel]

back to the topic before this one. i tried replacing the board but after the windows 7 splash screen then i get a blue screen and the pc restarts

Late reply, is the new motherboard defaulting to AHCI instead of IDE or w/e? That'll typically cause a windows bluescreen right after the splash screen.

 

[Durvelle27]

couldn't get it working so i just did a fresh install thx everybody

 

[Raincity]

couldn't get it working so i just did a fresh install thx everybody

Just curious, did you try the sys prep audit mode when you booted windows after the board swap.

 

[Durvelle27]

Just curious, did you try the sys prep audit mode when you booted windows after the board swap.

yes