New Motherboard

peter_the_piper

I have just had a computer which needed a new motherboard. I'm ok with this but the repairer has said that I will need a complete reformat of the hard disk and reinstall of software due to a different chipsets on the new board. I've never heard of this and would like some advice please. I've told them to add a new 40gig h/d as master and reinstall xp on this so I can transfer data and programs and leave the other disk alone.
Was I correct in this?
Peter.

Joe_Bloggs

You were right not to reformat and get a new disk.you can get your data back at a later date.
J_B. ( Just had my overlong paragraph deleted by some event)

bbb_uk

It is common to have to reformat the harddrive if the motherboard has been changed and is different from the one you had before. Ideally, if they could have replaced the motherboard with one of same model, etc then you would have been ok.

What you have suggested is an excellent idea as you will have a fresh install of windows (which should run a lot faster now) and still have your old software to move/copy over.

Every few months I backup (create a ghost image of) my harddrive. This is in case something drastically goes wrong and windows refuses to load.

When I replace my motherboard I also reformat and re-install WinXP but I try not to change motherboards that often due to time consuming job of formatting, fresh install of XP and software and then setting it up as I like it.

Mattjimf

The only real reason for formatting the hard drive when buying a new mobo is if you are changing from a AMD cpu to pentium and vice versa. This is because XP configures itself for the processor, and can screw up. If it's simply a case of getting a new mobo for the processor you had, i wouldn't bother.

peter_the_piper

As I will have two copies of windows on two h'd's can I change the startup sequence in bios and check out if the original is working ok? Will there be any conflicts when I try to activate the second copy?

Joe_Bloggs

It might be best to try to backup stuff before booting with the old disk. If you need to boot the old disk then try it in Safe Mode.The drivers are slow and the graphics a bit rough but it should not fall over if they find new hardware. Back up stuff/export settings etc. It might be an idea to have the new motherboard drivers available so you can change the old drivers for new. I am not an XP user yet and will not try and guide you through this tricky but achievable process.
J_B.

peter_the_piper

Turns out that when the mobo fried it took the processor with it. So thats why holly computers returned it unrepaired when still under guarantee.Pity they seem to have disappeared. Total cost, 1 mobo, 1 processor, ih/d, 1stick memory and one not very happy wife.At least I get a new computer out of it.
Peter.

Joe_Bloggs

@peter_the_piper
Can you clarify your situation ? Has your PC supplier vanished ?

blinky

Normally changing chipset generally does require a repair install or re-install, even if it's the same processor with 2000/XP/2003. Normally XP will hang when loading the drivers during boot. The only time you can sometimes get away with it is sometimes when using the same manufacturer if they use unified drivers

You can do usually do a repair install but it does take longer to boot the computer.

To do a repair install, follow the options through in the initial setup until it asks you which partition you want to install XP on. Choose the existing partition and press R (I think - it tell you on the screen) to do a repair install.

The totally correct way is to run sysprep before changing the boards, but if a board has died obviously this isn't possible.

peter_the_piper

Joe_Bloggs wrote:

@peter_the_piper
Can you clarify your situation ? Has your PC supplier vanished ?

They phoned us on Tuesday to say comp. on the way, checked on receipt and found same as sent to them. Many phone calls to them but none of them answer at all. Normally they have an answer machine or the dreaded autoresponder(computerised receptionist)Not even their 0870 sales number. Surprisingly or worryingly the website is still up and running though I don't know if the secure ordering system works.
I can't find out if they are there by any other method excepting posting a request asking if anyone knows if they have gone belly-up.
Peter