Upgrading parts without reinstalling windows?

[SpaceBandito]

Hi all,

So I'm finally upgrading my older Core 2 system to Sandy Bridge tomorrow, and I'm thinking I'm going to try to upgrade without reinstalling Windows (since I usually do fresh installs). Anyway, I've been looking around (somewhat unsuccessfully, though) for a guide or tips on how to do this, and here's what I'm thinking I'm going to do:

1. Back up everything I'm afraid to lose
2. Uninstall drivers of the hardware that's changing (motherboard stuff, including wireless adapter and ethernet)
3. Install new motherboard/RAM/CPU
4. Cross my fingers and turn it on

Anything else I should be doing? I'm totally noobish about this so thanks in advance.

 

[mechBgon]

Try to use the same SATA mode as before, whether that's AHCI or Native/IDE-ish mode. The mass-storage driver would be one of the important drivers to uninstall prior to the switch, the rest can get hammered out after startup.

 

[BoomerD]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=265026