Swapping out a MB

[nycdude]

Hi all,
What is the best course of action for swapping out a MB?? My old LX for a decent BX. I am trying avoid to fdisk everything and start new.

Is there any way I can unplug everything and just swap out the MB's and replug everything and expect things to boot normal??

I seem to have upgraded everything but I am a rookie at this.

Please LMK

 

[Valhalla1]

it won't be a normal boot most likely.. windows will recognize a lot of new hardware, like I/O controller and other things.

but it should be okay.

I've done it before, but both boards were the same chipset, good luck

 

[brxndxn]

With Win98 or newer, everything should recognize then work fine after a bootup or two. Done it many times before.

 

[letitbe]

Best thing to do is to fdisk/format. You don't want to do that so I am hopping you have Win98/ME. Win2k is pickey about switching out mobos.

 

[TuffGuy]

remove all the devices in device manager, shut down, swap boards, restart windows and let it detect the new hardware.

the *best* way is to do a full format.

 

[Lalakai]

gotta agree. wipe your hd clean and do a full install again. best way to avoid lots of potential glitches. sorry (i'm in the same boat and don't like the prospect either, but,..................)

 

[Yzzim]

I tried to do a mobo swap without reinstalling Windows and it was a pain in the arse. I've always gone for a complete wipe and install of Windows after that.

 

[nycdude]

I know. I dread reformatting but I know its best.

btw, I still have win95 osr2 on my comp. All comments says win98 may work but what about this??

LMK

 

[GasX]

Actually, step one would be to post this again in the Motherboard forum...

 

[nycdude]

The other forums seldom get as much hits as this one.

 

[warlord]

true the other forums don't get as many hits, but the reason this forum was made was for Off Topic posts.

 

[nycdude]

Boy, I never thought I get this much heat for posting this topic here.

I never looked to see if there was a MB post. Excuse me.

 

[warlord]

you've been here a year and never noticed that there are other forums at Anandtech? how can you miss the General Hardware forum, it gets more hits than OT.

 

[nycdude]

See. This thread going off topic.

I usually just check the:
for sale
off topic
hot deals

forgot there were others. Cut a guy some slack.