Swapping ASROCK880Pro-VSTA with GA-P35-DS3R

[FMA]

I spend a lot of time searching for the best way to swap motherboards without reinstalling XP. Here's what I think I should do. Please correct me if you see anything wrong.

1. In safe mode unintall all Via drives - most importantly the Via IDE drivers.

2. Choose Windows IDE driver if possible.

3. Maybe unistall Via drivers from the Via CD, instead of 1 and 2 above.

4. Install USB drivers

I have a question here. Is it a good idea to install the Gigabyte drivers before I take the Via board out?

5. Replace motherboards and boot in Safe Mode.


Okay, I'm becoming brain dead. What else do I need to do. I'll probably receive my GA-P35-DS3R tomorrow. Any helpful suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kmmatney]

I think just uninstalling the Via IDE drivers should be good enough. I don't think booting in safe mode will help, you want to boot normally so that windows sees the new devices and installs drivers for them. Just uninstall anything VIA related.

I normally just perform a repair-install of windows XP. This re-installs XP, but keeps all of your settings intact. You do have to re-activate the PC with Microsoft after a repair-install, but I've had no trouble with Microsoft upgrading my motherboard 3 times, even with an OEM version of windows XP.

 

[tigersty1e]

Originally posted by: kmmatney
I think just uninstalling the Via IDE drivers should be good enough. I don't think booting in safe mode will help, you want to boot normally so that windows sees the new devices and installs drivers for them. Just uninstall anything VIA related.

I normally just perform a repair-install of windows XP. This re-installs XP, but keeps all of your settings intact. You do have to re-activate the PC with Microsoft after a repair-install, but I've had no trouble with Microsoft upgrading my motherboard 3 times, even with an OEM version of windows XP.

What do you say when you call them to reactivate?

 

[FMA]

I am also wondering if it is a good idea to install the Gigabyte drivers while the ASRock Via board is still in the computer? Then when I boot with the new MB all the drivers should be there.