Switching motherboards...will I need to reinstall?

[big4x4]

Going from a crappy gigabyte 945 s3 to an Abit Abit IP35-E. I really do not want to reformat everything so is there anything I can do to aid in the process of changing motherboards? Thanks

 

[watek]

Nice to see you picked one up!

Most here would recommend a format.

 

[Quiksilver]

It is highly recommended that you will, personally I'd just pick up a new hard drive and install an OS on that, then just plug my old drive as a slave and copy the important data over(eg. pics, music, files, game mods, etc.) , and be done with it.

 

[big4x4]

Thanks The burbank fry's had 18 in stock so I picked 2 up just in case. Thanks again. I have a 500gb External I can just backup to....even though it will probably take forever! But if I do come across a good HD deal I will probably buy it!

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

I'll be doing the same soon. I believe the easiest way to accomplish this will be to perform a repair installation.

 

[toadeater]

Originally posted by: big4x4
Going from a crappy gigabyte 945 s3 to an Abit Abit IP35-E. I really do not want to reformat everything so is there anything I can do to aid in the process of changing motherboards? Thanks

For the chipsets you're talking about, you probably won't even have to do a repair install, unless you used RAID.

Here's a quick guide:

http://www.tweakxp.com/article37174.aspx

A more detailed explanation:

http://arstechnica.com/journal...t-reinstalling-windows

There's also a way to "zero" the Windows hardware settings completely, but I can't remember how to do it. If you do this, Windows reinstalls every driver and the HAL from scratch, but doesn't need to do a full repair install or wipe any software/user settings.

Get all the drivers you will need BEFORE you swap motherboards and have them ready on the HD to be installed.

 

[Regalk]

Originally posted by: big4x4
Going from a crappy gigabyte 945 s3 to an Abit Abit IP35-E. I really do not want to reformat everything so is there anything I can do to aid in the process of changing motherboards? Thanks

NO Just change reboot to safe mode - wait until all new HW found - skip any if it cannot find. Unistall the 945 chipset and graphic drivers and reboot normally
Install the P35 drivers
Install the graphic drivers
You should be good to go.

There are some swaps that are not easy - I tried all kinfs - NF4 to ATI RD480 express to P35 - moving to the ATi RD480 will not work (had to do a repair install)

You could also do a repair install - should retain most of your settings

I do this all the time - no problems
Over time clean out any old drivers form the old system and reinstall newer drivers

 

[big4x4]

Sounds great! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Deinonych]

Originally posted by: toadeater
A more detailed explanation:

http://arstechnica.com/journal...t-reinstalling-windows

There's also a way to "zero" the Windows hardware settings completely, but I can't remember how to do it. If you do this, Windows reinstalls every driver and the HAL from scratch, but doesn't need to do a full repair install or wipe any software/user settings.

Get all the drivers you will need BEFORE you swap motherboards and have them ready on the HD to be installed.

:thumbsup:

I've used this Ars guide several times successfully. As long as you follow it carefully, you should not have any problems whatsoever.

 

[big4x4]

The deed has been done! Took a lot longer than I expected because I could not get my hsf to fit on the new motherboard But everything is going swell. Got the chip clocked at 3.5 without a sweat. Thanks for all the help!