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Thread ID: 124225 2012-04-13 02:35:00 Motherboard upgrade.... ChazTheGeek (16619) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1269820 2012-04-13 02:35:00 Hey do you folks know what to do when upgrading a mobo? Do I have to back up my system and reinstall windows or just deactivate some programs and install new drivers? Thanks again.:nerd: ChazTheGeek (16619)
1269821 2012-04-13 02:39:00 Depends what youre using now and what youre changing to. But its probably a good idea to reformat and start all over again Speedy Gonzales (78)
1269822 2012-04-13 02:44:00 But if you REALLY don't want to start over, you could see if Windows will pick up all the appropriate drivers. I have seen this work before but there are no guarantees. But, first, image the system partition in case bad things happen!

Good luck with whatever way you decide to go.
linw (53)
1269823 2012-04-13 02:54:00 There is a way to uninstall all the drivers so you can reboot on different hardware that's been posted on these forums before, but I don't remember how. Have a hunt around and you might find it. You will almost certainly have to re activate windows though, a motherboard counts as too many different bits of hardware to get away with normally.

Why upgrade? is there something wrong with the old one? I personally can't see enough advantages to justify the cost / hassle to upgrade any of mine (P67, H67, H61).
Probably wait until ivy bridge has been out a few months and look at a whole system instead if it looks worthwhile.
dugimodo (138)
1269824 2012-04-13 06:17:00 If you are using Windows 7 theres a way that usually works, esp if the current system is actually still going.

By running sysprep through it, you can remove all the current hardware drivers and then after changing the board, you fire it up, it loads in some new drivers, and you install the ones that came with the board. All your programs, Data etc stay put (or should).
You usually have to reactivate windows but thats no big deal you only need the product key.

Done it a couple of times with no problems if you want to know how just ask :D
wainuitech (129)
1269825 2012-04-13 06:43:00 I've recently done a motherboard swap. Windows 7 booted but I decided to reinstall windows on the problem computer anyway to avoid problems down the track e.g. drivers. Are you getting a new cpu or gpu (agp --> pcie)? If not there isn't much point in swapping motherboards as the performance difference is minimal. icow (15313)
1269826 2012-04-13 09:42:00 There is actually a lot of point because my current mobo has a AMD 64x2 4000+ and has a maximum support for 2GB RAM, that is not pretty.
The mobo that I will get has support for a core 2 extreme quad core, support for 8 GB DDR2 dual channel RAM so that will do me fine . Go here for specs: www.asus.com
Got it for nothing so a pretty good deal eh.
ChazTheGeek (16619)
1269827 2012-04-13 09:49:00 Is it 32 bit or 64 bit (the old install)? If its 32 bit, then it'll be better if you do a clean install. If youre installing 64 bit ( you probably will be if youre going to use 8 GB). Which 32 bit wont / doesn't support Speedy Gonzales (78)
1269828 2012-04-13 09:49:00 Yeah it is. I was gonna say no point getting a new mobo for your current cpu. icow (15313)
1269829 2012-04-13 10:13:00 So, presumably you're replacing the CPU and RAM as well? Personally, I'd take a full backup image prior, and then do a clean install after. inphinity (7274)
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