Swap Processor without reinstall

[jelifah]

I've seen plenty of sites detail how to swap a motherboard and keep an existing Windows Install.

Am I foolish to think that if I am swapping JUST the processor, from an A64 3000+ to an Opteron 170, that I can just swap the processor and turn the computer on?

Should I do anything in Windows prior to this swap?

 

[acole1]

should be fine.

just like swapping any other part like a video card or something...

but as a disclaimer, i have never done it

 

[LouPoir]

No need to do anything - processor upgrade has no impact on WinXP

Lou

 

[acole1]

Try doing it while the computer is on though... make sure and video it too.
*rubs hands together*

 

[jelifah]

acole1, You sir are evil!!

 

[pkme2]

I swapped out my 3500+ with my 4800+ without any problems and restarted computer and bios recognized it and booted to Windows XP.

 

[Xvys]

Shouldn't be a problem. I put my old hard drive with Windows XP already loaded in my new Core2 system and Windows booted up fine. In fact I then cloned the operating system and files from the old hd to a new hd and it worked without a hitch. Then put my old hd back in my previous system and sold it (Windows XP pre-installed!). Talk about getting your money's worth from that Windows install ( I don't have the Windows disk anymore, anyways

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: pkme2
I swapped out my 3500+ with my 4800+ without any problems and restarted computer and bios recognized it and booted to Windows XP.

Does XP see the two cores? I've heard on the forums before that when upgrading from a single core to a dual core XP does not always detect the second core and a reinstall would be necessary to get the full use out of the new hardware.

 

[oynaz]

I believe there is a patch avaliable which solves this problem.

 

[Geomagick]

I had no problem when I went from 4000+ single core to 4400+ dual core. One of the quickest and most worthwhile upgrades I've done for a while.

 

[Conky]

There should be no problem at all. I just swapped a motherboard and a cpu in my main rig and XP identified everything. Updated the chipset drivers for the new chipset and I was golden. I was glad I didn't have to reinstall XP.

 

[Seekermeister]

One minor glitch is that if you have switched enough hardware since you activated XP, changing the processor might cause you to have to reactivate it, but that is easy. There are some items to install from AMD for dual core operation also.

oynaz,

I'm getting ready to do this myself, as soon as my processor arrives, but I've not heard of any XP patch...other than those I mentioned above...is there something from MS also?

 

[loafbred]

I used these instructions and it works fine. I've had no problems with any games, optimized or not.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: loafbred
I used these instructions and it works fine. I've had no problems with any games, optimized or not.

Same here, worked great :thumbsup:

 

[Noubourne]

Ditto.

Went from a 3000 to an X2 3800, and just last night an Opty 165.

Opteron is definitely the right choice.

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: AgentJean

Originally posted by: pkme2
I swapped out my 3500+ with my 4800+ without any problems and restarted computer and bios recognized it and booted to Windows XP.

Does XP see the two cores? I've heard on the forums before that when upgrading from a single core to a dual core XP does not always detect the second core and a reinstall would be necessary to get the full use out of the new hardware.

I was aware of the AMD X2 patch.

 

[jelifah]

Performed the swap, successfully last night. Both cores were seen in Windows XP, and I didn't have to reactivate.

Things are much smoother!

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
One minor glitch is that if you have switched enough hardware since you activated XP, changing the processor might cause you to have to reactivate it, but that is easy. There are some items to install from AMD for dual core operation also.

oynaz,

I'm getting ready to do this myself, as soon as my processor arrives, but I've not heard of any XP patch...other than those I mentioned above...is there something from MS also?

This has happened to me a few times. I always add, remove, replace. MS must hate me!