Windows re-install required with a new motherboard?

[HGC]

My friend is upgrading from an old Duron 800 on a Jetway motherboard with PC 100 SDRAM, to a Sempron 2200, Shuttle mobo and PC2700 DDR.

Will he have to reformat and install Windows XP from scratch? Is it possible to boot with the old Windows install and then install the new drivers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hundesau]

i guess he gonna have to install xp again, but of course he can try first without. but better he saves his datas before. usually a new mobo with a new chipset will always require new windows installation for best performance. and think of the sound and lan drivers...

 

[cirthix]

most probably he will have to reinstall. a good idea is to dig up an old drive, install on that, then backup and partition, then install on the original drive.

 

[darkeyed]

I think it is highly likly that without reinstalling windows you will have many problems and performance issues. But hey I am one of those guys that likes to reinstall windows clean once every couple years anyways if not once a year.

 

[uOpt]

If he sets the IDE controller to "generic" in the old board he has a good chance to boot on the new one.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Hmmm...I don't know. I think it depends on if the chipset brand or architecture has changed. I went from a MSI 845E-Max motherboard to my DFI LP 865PE board and the only complaint I got from windows wis that it would have to be re-activated. But, it would probably be beneficial to do a reinstall anyway.

 

[Chugworth]

Originally posted by: darkeyed
I think it is highly likly that without reinstalling windows you will have many problems and performance issues. But hey I am one of those guys that likes to reinstall windows clean once every couple years anyways if not once a year.

I usually reinstall Windows quarterly.

 

[RX7poor]

You do not have to re-install XP----Install new MB with devices in the same location as the old board or only
plug in the HD at first.On first boot hit F8 choose safe mode if you have SP2 installed XP will install the drivers.
After that boot normal the check control panel and install new drivers if needed. I changed from a via board to
Intel with no problems but maybe I just got lucky for a change. Also if you are using a certified retail copy of
XP you will have to reactivate ( now who would want one of them ):roll:Text

 

[Mac]

You may be able to avoid but in the long run, it isn't worth it. Simply accept the fact that you need to bring up the new mobo from scratch. The most likely scenario if you don't is that the system will be unstable or exhibit strange incompatiblities. I tried doing this several years ago with Win98SE and I wasted more time diagnosing problems, deleting and reinstalling drivers, etc. than if I just started with a fresh install. I finally gave up and installed from scratch and all the problems went away (well, for awhile, it's still Windows).

If you are dead set on trying it, the best method is to go into safe mode and delete all the hardware components and system devices. Then allow WinXP to reinstall. The problem is that as it "finds" new hardware it may attempt to reinstall system drivers that were intended for your old mobo. Good luck.