Help -- MB dying...

[severtki]

Have an EPOX EP-8RDA Pro MB (socket A - nForce 2 Ultra 400 chipset) that is dying. Some USB ports no longer work, Ethernet port just died, and system hangs briefly every second or two. I strongly suspect something on motherboard...

Would like to replace motherboard straight up, but can't find this exact board for sale anywhere any more. I DON'T want to reinstall OS, so I need to find a board that will drop in and XP SP2 will work with. Several years ago I had a similar problem, replaced with slightly different motherboard, and Windows would not boot with old drive image. I had to reinstall and this is NOT what I want to go through this time.

Any ideas -- will look at Ebay for exact board, but anyone know what would happen if I found another nForce2 Socket A board from another manufacturer? Blue screen at boot or likely success?

Thanks in advance,
Kirk

 

[solas989]

Even if you do find the same chipset, likely there will be new things found to install. I dont think you will get BSOD as I have done something similiar back in the day of Socket A (Asus A7V v1.0). But, my box was never the same, it always seemed sluggish.

Why not reinstall - it usually gives a good boost in performance. I do know that it can be a hassle too.

I would reinstall if you cant find the exact board, but that is my opinion.

I know how it feels to loose a board. Just recently my A7V died (6 years old) and the HD controllers went on the fritz . But I get a new HTPC so I am good to go.

Good Luck.

 

[severtki]

Wondering how close I have to be with chipsets before I would get the BSOD on startup. Just built a Vista box on a C2Duo and need to keep ONE stable machine, so really CANNOT reinstall from scratch (plus, who has the time??).

 

[Binky]

Use the Windows installer to Repair the installation (the 2nd repair option...NOT the first one you see). You can find instructions on the web, like here.

 

[Binky]

A few more things...

1. Make an image of your OS install before you do this!

2. Shut down the old system

3. Install the new motherboard.

4. Follow the repair guide after you install the new motherboard.