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Upgrade motherboard w/out reinstalling Windows?

C

Cadaver

Senior member
I'm thinking about upgrading my processor/motherboard (from an overclocked Athlon 2000+/Gigabyte 7VRXP), and I'm wondering if it's possible to replace a motherboard without reformatting and reinstalling Windows XP Pro.
While I'm willing to reinstall if necessary, it's always quite a hassle and ends up taking about 3x as long as one plans (took me all day to reinstall after change-over from an Intel 1GHz P-III to the Athlon/Gigabyte combo).
I'm pretty sure it can be done - I recall seeing an FAQ somewhere about how to do it, but haven't found it yet.
Thanks!
 
I went from a PIII 933/815 mobo to an Athlon 1.33/KT133A to an Athlon XP1800+/KT266A combo without a format. (all with 1 install) it was wonderful. 😀

it still ran mint too!!
 
Upgrade to what?

Unless you have issues with your Gigabyte, simply pop in the AMD XP2800+, it is shipping. You board can drive it.

That requires NO reinstall of anything.

If you replace your board for a KT400, windows will rearange the IRQs for the change. Then install the lastest 4-in1 drivers and you will be set.

On testing a system (and it didn't matter if it worked or not) I moved a HD from a P3 to an AMD cpu / via. It took 2 reboots and windows continued to humm along.

Prepare for a reinstall if REALLY needed, try to do it without a reinstall.
 
Most likely you dont need to reinstall, but to be sure you can just use the repair option of XP! I changed from a single processor system to a duallie, and all I did was to repair the installation of XP. Took about 20 mins, no need to reinstall any progs... veery handy!


-DaFinn
 
Thanks guys!
My WinXP HD wouldn't boot my Intel P-III mobo -> AMD/VIA mobo swap, so I wasn't too sure.
I suppose if I change to another VIA-based board, it would probably be OK.

True, I could always pop in a 2700+ or 2800+, but I was thinking about a dual-channel DDR board for more memory throughput.
Too many choices!
 
This doesn't apply to your HW, but I changed from a Shuttle to an EPoX, same CPU, mem, HD, etc, and the change went over without a hitch using Win98SE. I got new drivers for the PCI/ISA bridge, USB, etc, etc and allI used was the CD that came with the EPoX and my Win98 CD. I could switch back in a matter of minutes if I had to. That FAQ article does prepare you for the worst-case scenario (and paints a vivid picture of it), but I got no such hassles. YMMV. Good luck!
 
i went from a celeron system (400MHz) to an athlon system (850 MHz) ... and the reinstall was definatly required
 
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