Upgrade from a Epox 8K7A (AMD 760) to a Shuttle KT266A...FORMAT OR NOT ??

[HardwareAddicted]

So I have my new Shuttle MB (AK35GTR)...and I will putting the 'ol Epox (8k7A) in a server with a new HDD and W2K Server.

Will I be able to just swap MBs, shoot some files to the server, THEN do a clean install on the newer MB box (Shuttle) ??

The chipsets are so close, I was just curious if this would work ok.

I know that most of time, you have no choice but to do a clean install on a new MB.

So just trying to save time if anyone knows if this is safe.

Thx for any input you got !

~ HardwareAddicted

 

[microAmp]

I did a mobo swap once, on a Epox 7KXA Slot A to a 440BX mobo w/o any problems (can't remember why but major problems at that time) but when I went back to the Epox everything went screwy.

You might be able to do it, maybe have to install 4n1 drivers right off the bat, if it doesn't work it won't damage anything but you'll have the only option to format and lost the data. Worth a shot.....

Good luck.

 

[reformat]

replaced Gigabyte GA7-ZX1 with a Shuttle AK31A, without a hiccup, unified VIA drivers were automatically reloaded by windows. Radeon 8500 still won't work in AGP4x, benchmarks are where they should be, just can't use that setting in BIOS.

 

[desy]

I don't bother to reformat and have never had a problem, we are talking of hundreds of differents scenarios.
A clean install will be just fine.

 

[Tarobap]

I too am having a similar issue . . . my 8K7A died (keep getting codes C1 and C5; everything was working perfectly and now nothing, and my bios says "Award BIOS Block 2000" but I had the newest bios loaded...help?) and I need to throw in another board temporarily . . . I was thinking an ECS-K7S5A . . . I just want to able to literally swap boards and be back in action cuz I'm in the middle of medskool midterms . . . is this possible? Thanks fo yo help!

 

[Cherub]

All I can say is: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not format your hard drive--it's not necessary or helpful !!!

The whole "format your hard drive after a motherboard change" issue is a total BS myth. I have changed dozens if not hundreds of motherboards without any issue at all. In fact, many people have far greater issues when doing a format, particularly if they had complex systems prior to the change.

Now, that being said, make changes one at a time. Don't change a motherboard AND a sound card at the same time, for instance.

A similar issue is whether you should take out all of your cards (except video) for your first boot. I have always said no. I makes excellent sense that if Windows finds the "new" system as similar to the "old" system as possible, there are less problems to go wrong. This is a little less sure, and people rightfully disagree on the issue. I still say no.