New Mb with different Chipset........

[imported_tagger]

I have Windows 2000 Pro with an Asus A7V8X mb with the VIA KT400 chip on the Northbridge
and VIA VT8235 on the Southbridge. Will I have to reinstall the OS if I went with a mb with the nVidia nForce3 chipset? I'm looking at the MSI K8N Neo Platinum. Is it a simple matter of installing the new mb and the mb software?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Nope, there's a FAQ on this. Welcome to the forums. 🙂

It is definitely recommended that you make a thorough backup though.

 

[RussianSoldier]

Change Mainboard without having to reinstall OS.

 

[Jolt2]

I know there was a nice artical on this at Anandtech. Look for it.

Here is a link for a ton of choices on how to do it.....
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/other/motherboard/

 

[CaptnKirk]

All you need to do is set the ESCD in the BIOS to recognize the change of components.

(Extended System Configuration Data)

It will run one time on the boot and then run a hardware recognition update.

Sometimes the XP will not like multiple changes, and you have to call
a number that is displayed to contact Microsoft & enter a code string.
You just tell them that you replaced the motherboard or processor &
they will give you the code reaset information, takes like 5 minutes.