When replacing a MoBo . . .

[Bobsled]

If I were to replace my motherboard, CPU and RAM and I wished to re-use my hard drive do I HAVE to format the hard drive or can I just install the new BIOS on top of the old one?

 

[Boonesmi]

some people have had luck swapping motherboards and the existing hard drive is able to boot right up with no problems, usually when its similar motherboard (with same chipset)

but.... for the most part it can cause alot of problems and its a good idea to to a format and fresh install of the operating system.

 

[jman57]

I've heard the way to do that is in the registry. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE wipe enum and install drivers from new motherboard unless of course its the exact same chipset.