Quick question.... I'm going to install my new mobo.. but what to do in XP first?

[zsouthboy]

Should I delete everything in my device manager that is for my current mobo first, or after I've installed the new mobo?

It's a GigaByte GA-7VRXP, BTW

Just got it today, and it's rev. 1.1(got it from Newegg)

zs

 

[neovan]

I think it would be better to do a clean install of XP if you are going to change the mobo.

 

[zsouthboy]

Yeah, I know, i will probably eventually do that....but I know it can be done...

If not, I'll format and be on my way...


zs

 

[Insane3D]

It can be done, but trust me...it's much better just to do a clean install. I was checking out your rig and I see you have a second HD. Why don't you just back up the stuff you need onto that drive, format and install XP, and restore your needed files. I just set up a system with the Gigabyte board and I have been very impressed with it. Feel free to drop me a line if you would like some pointers. I would be glad to help. Good luck...

 

[Buz2b]

My (fairly recent) experience is that trying to do this is at best a 50/50 chance. Actually so far I am 1 out of 3. Not good considering the headaches spent trying to get it to work. Your best bet is NOT to delete anything (as some try w/Win98) but instead boot and go immediatley to "Safe Mode" if you can. Do the "Press F8" thing on the initial boot. If you can get to Safe Mode, you have a chance. From there boot normally and let XP load whatever items it finds. As a tip I will tell you to remove most of your extra PCI devices first and then shut down a few times (if you are sucessful) and reinstall them one by one so XP doesn't "belch" and go belly up. When you think about it, you could probably do as Insane3D said and backup to one drive and reload the other, just as easily.

 

[zsouthboy]

It actually went fine, no problems at all, but it turns out i got a bum stick of ram, I find this out after trying to re-install xp 4 times

Usually as long as you delete most of the motherboard-specific things from the device manger beforehand, it works fine.

zs

 

[sodcha0s]

I don't know about XP, but when changing mobo's in '98 and Me, all I did was swap the board. Booted normally, windows detects new hardware, asks for drivers, etc. A few re-boots later, everything works fine. 95 was the b!tch when it came to mobo swaps, you HAD to do a fresh install.