Motherboard Upgrade Questions

[Dabappa]

I would like to upgrade my motherboard, currently a ECS K7S5A to something with an NForce2 Ultra.

1. Will I have to completly format my hard drive and reinstall Windows?

2. Will Windows XP registration/activation flip out, and if so how much of a hassle is it?

3. Would it be worth it to buy a new hard drive so I could transfer the data from the old one if I need a fresh install? (I will be building a second box soon and could use the old drive in that once the transfer was done.)



Thanks,



P.S.

Currently running:
Athlon 2600+ Mobile (15 x 133 = 2 GHz)
2 x 256 Crucial PC 2100
Geforce 3
WD 40 GB Hard Drive

Plan on upgrading to:
Shuttle AN35N Ultra or ALBATRON KX18DS Pro (Trying to stay ~ $50)
Radeon 9600 XT (on the way)
2 x 512 Mushkin PC 3200 (At least one stick for now)
60, 80, or 120 GB Hard Drive?

 

[madthumbs]

1) You don't have to format, but you may want to reinstall the OS.

2) Don't know. I use pirated version (though I own legal copies). I believe you have around 3 reinstalls before you have to call, and haven't heard of much hassle.

3) It was a misconception that xp can't be installed over itself, though you may want to search for instructions on how to do it since it isn't entirely straight forward in the setup, though it is possible to figure it out. The biggest problem in doing this is if you don't get the computer name, and such right. In such a case, you could transfer the files to where they're supposed to be and delete the old folders (documents and settings crap).

 

[KayKay]

I upgraded 3 components, CPU, Motherboard and GFX card all at the same time a few months ago, and i didn't have to reinstall windows at all. Why this happens depends on the hardware in your computer. Windows has a system of calculating how many changes you've made to the hardware, so if you've upgraded more than a few times, theres a good chance it would want you to reinstall.

also, i don't know for 100% but reinstall could simpley mean "repair installation", where you don't actually lose any of your programs and documents.

also, it is possible to reactivate without calling techsupport

 

[tiap]

Whenever you change to a different mb it is a good idea to fdisk and start over with a fresh install, but that doesn;t mean to say that a repair won't work well. Changing the mb usually gives you enough points to cause rea-activation. If you're legal no big deal.
In your case I would get the new drive to install on and you have your data temporarily backed up on the old.

 

[meltdown75]

- even though in some cases you can get away with not doing a clean install, it's a good habit to get into.
- currently i have a 60 gig hd and seeing the prices, i could definitely use more space even though i keep it at about 50% free, so i'd say yeah go for at least 80 gigs dude.