Re-format hard drive with new motherboard?

[NoTech]

Do I absolutely have to re-format my hard drive and start all over when I change motherboards? First of all, I don't have a tape backup, so I can't back up my system. I may go ahead and get that tape backup if you fellas recommend it, though. But what if I don't? What can happen if I just try to hook up my hard drive as it is to the new motherboard? I'm running Windows 98 SE on a P-166 with a 13 Gig UDMA 66 7200 RPM, and I'm upgrading to an Epox 8KTA with an Athlon 900. Can you good people give me any other advice on upgrading my system using exisiting devices? Thanks.

 

[NoTech]

Anybody?

 

[Wallysaurus]

NoTech,
I have successfully upgraded from AMD to intel before without re-formatting. Boot your old setup in Safe Mode and go to the Device Manager and remove everything especially all system devices. Then do your upgrade and when Windows starts it will prompt you for your Win98 disk and just follow the on screen instruction. If you removed your video adapter, sound card, etc. you will need the drivers for these also. This will work but you would probably be better off doing a clean install. Good Luck.

 

[pillage2001]

All you need handy is the CD which your mobo manufaturer provided you. It'll coem in very handy. Chances are, you might not even need to do anything because windows98 will help you configure everything.

 

[ElectricLegs]

I've had good stability from my systems that I did the "delete ALL in safe mode" trick in. Remove EVERYTHING in device manager. The only thing you won't be able to remove is the hard disk controller. Just reinstall the drivers like adding normal hardware. After everything is installed start in safe mode and remove BOTH of any duplicates you may have and install that driver again.

 

[lenjack]

I've done it without formatting or reinstalling W98 with no trouble. Even with switching from cel 366 @ 550 on a P2B, to a duron on a KT133 board. Everything ran perfect after several reboots.

 

[StatsMan]

In my experience, you don't have to re-format the hard drive. Just keep all the drivers disk(s) handy when they are needed during computer reboots. But I found re-format and fresh Windows installation gave better stability if you don't like to modify Windows' registers.