Swaping MB and CPU with same Hard Drive

[need4spd]

Ok.. just got a new MB and CPU

currently
Abit KG7
WIN 2K Pro
Athlon 1.4G
Maxtor 40G ATA 100
512 DDR 2100
Radeon 7500


I just want to swap the MB and CPU with the new Soyo KT333 Dragon Ultra and a XP2000+

Any advice... I rather not have to reformat HD or anything.

Can I just plug and Play?? of course adding the proper drivers and everthing.

 

[mechBgon]

There's a FAQ that may help out: FAQ

One option would be to shut down, install the new hardware, and boot from the Win2000 CD and begin Setup. When it asks if you want to Repair the existing installation, say No. Then have it install on the partition containing Win2000 and it will warn you that it's going to overwrite the existing one. Tell it to proceed. This ought to preserve your files and settings while getting Win2000 all familiarized with the new hardware Don't sue me if it doesn't work, though... good idea to back up anything critical before trying it.

Also, the Soyo is going to want an RPM reading on CPUFAN1 to POST, by default (this can be turned off in the BIOS, it's called Fan-Off Control or FOC). If you're in a predicament because you don't have an RPM-signalling fan you can safely run from the header, hold the Insert key while powering the system on, to override FOC so you can get to the BIOS. Have fun

 

[need4spd]

Thanks for the tips Mechbgon ...

Also I have a very easy question.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY (easiest) to back-up
my entire hard drive.. just in case.

I have a CD-ROM but that is only 650MB right... my HD is close to 20MB. Is there a program I can buy or DL that does the backup..

Thanks
Steve

 

[mechBgon]

How much actual data do you need to back up?

 

[need4spd]

Well.. actually I am sure all me important files and such would fit on a CD-R.. then all my digital photos on another.

But I wanted to save myself the hassle of re-storing the whole drive/applications etc.

 

[redbeard1]

One option would be to shut down, install the new hardware, and boot from the Win2000 CD and begin Setup. When it asks if you want to Repair the existing installation, say No. Then have it install on the partition containing Win2000 and it will warn you that it's going to overwrite the existing one. Tell it to proceed. This ought to preserve your files and settings while getting Win2000 all familiarized with the new hardware Don't sue me if it doesn't work, though... good idea to back up anything critical before trying it.

WHAT!

You want to get past the first screen about doing a repair, so you say no lets do an install. Then you keep going, telling it to install to the existing setup, then the most critical choice is when it asks, do you want to repair the existing install or do you want to install fresh and erase the that files that are there. Do the first choice, otherwise all your settings will be gone. I know. The first over the top reload I did, I ended wiping out the existing install, so non of my settings were preserved, and program did not run. I just did a XP reload the other day, and it follows the same basic path as a reload for win2k.

 

[need4spd]

Ok..now i am confused.

So when asked :
"do you want to repair the existing install or do you want to install fresh and erase the that files that are there"

I want to do yes to repair or yes to fresh install...

Please confime which is correct,

 

[redbeard1]

You want to get to the "install" menu prompt that asks you if you want to repair the existing install. Do this type of install, anything alse will not save your settings and programs.


When you boot with the cd, one of the first menus is a boot repair question. You want to go past this by following the prompts for an install.

 

[mechBgon]

Better follow redbeard1's advice, he has done this more recently than me

 

[need4spd]

Ok... got it. Thanks!!

I also read the FAQ in anandtech about this ....

From the article


The procedure is this: Shut down, install your new hardware, power on, and enter your system BIOS. Make sure your First Boot Device is set to CDROM. Insert the Windows 2000/XP setup CD and boot from this disk. (You may have to "press a key to boot from CD" as the prompt says.) Skip the initial prompt asking to repair your existing installation. Then proceed to the screen where you select a partition, and choose your existing Windows partition. Setup will detect your existing installation and ask you to repair. Say yes. When Windows Setup is complete, you should have a fully working installation with all your old user and application profiles. Everything should be intact, except your hardware and driver settings, leaving it fresh for your new motherboard.

 

[TheCorm]

When I changed from an Intel board with a Cyrix M2 to a MVP3 board with AMD K6-III....i did nothing with Windows 98....just let it detect the new hardware and all worked fine!

But 2000/XP might be more touchy....and things may have changed a bit....

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: TheCorm
But 2000/XP might be more touchy....and things may have changed a bit....

I was going to reinstall anyway, but my XP got hosed by a motherboard change. From an intel mobo to another intel mobo none the less. I dual boot with win2k, and hte win2k partition booted up fine, detected the changes and I reinstalled some drivers. The XP install gave me a blue screen.