Right I know this is probably very simple stuff, but!

I would like ot upgrade my PC at home a little. If I were to replace the motherboard with a new chip but keep the old hard disk, what do I need to do with regards to getting uup and running again? fresh install?

Many thanks,
Steve

Nothin, windows XP might complain a bit an you might have to reactivate it, that will be all you need to do. You wont lose anything or need to reformat

David

Windows does sometimes throw a strop which will force you to re-install.

Oh how i love windows

I would normally re-install anyway just as a matter of course as after a period of time your install tends to get slower and slower due to all the services etc that are added to it.

I try and keep my OS and data on different drives which makes re-installing a lot easier. Although windows still endeavers to make this process as hard as possible.

I know it sounds silly but if you re-install dont rush into it, make sure all your important stuff is backed up. The amount of times i have done this.......lets just say its more than a few.

Luckily HDD space is getting really cheap so its fairly easy now to have enough space to backup your entire system in case you have forgotten something


[Edited on 28/2/07 by Duncan_P]

Do you mean put a faster processor in your present motherboard? That will not affect anything other than recognising it in BIOS. Older Windows didn't mind if you replaced the motherboard but XP does have a bout if you change too much too quickly, forcing a reactivation as it reads it as a new PC install.

Nothing to stop you - but if you have XP then you'll probably need to re-install it anyway (were as 98 would just ask for the CD to install the new drivers it needed)

best to do a fresh install anyway - gets rid of all the crap that's accumulated and is slowing the PC down - just make extra sure you have all your files backed up and CD's/ install files for all your programs and hardware

just out of interest - what are you upgrading form/ to ??

Remove all the drivers first!

Easiest way, is to remove the graphics, sound etc and then in safe mode, remove the ACPI Uniprocessor driver...

When you reboot with new mobo, it should reinstall all the drievrs like a new install but retain all your programs..

Alternately, reinstall over the top with a fresh install, but select repair, that way it will also reisntall, but retain all your settings and programs..

I do this regularly when computer gets a bit clunky

Mine is a really old Celeron. I fancied a new MB with better sound and graphics but when you look into it you are better off buying a new pc!

Many thanks for all your help. I think i'll keep an eye out for another board and processor on ebay and give it a go with a new install.

Thanks,
Steve

Before you do it count up the real cost, it is very easy to exceed the cost of buying an end of line PC from the likes of Morgan computers,