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Summary: When replacing a motherboard you can almost certainly use your hard disks, the question is how much additional work and configuration you might need. If I get a new motherboard for my computer, can I use the hard drives that I have with it? From what I've read, I expect the current C drive operating system won't work with a new motherboard, but if I installed the operating system on my current D drive, and used that as the new C drive, would it work, or would I be risking the information on the drive? (I really don't want to lose all my pictures!) I would then want to put my current C drive in as my new D drive, and delete the old OS off that. Also would the programs get confused as to what drive they are on? The short answer is yes you can probably do what you're suggesting. In fact, it's one way I'd probably approach the problem myself. But we also need to set some expectations about what it is you'll have when you're done. • First, if you get the exact same motherboard as a replacement you can probably just avoid the issue complete. Chance are you can just plug C: into C:, D: into D: and things will likely just work. If you have a different motherboard (replacement is always a good time for an upgrade :-), or you just want to play it safe, then plugging your new drive in as C: and your old C: drive in as D: makes a lot of sense, and will in all probability work just fine. You'll install Windows onto your new drive, and once done everything that was on your old C: drive will appear on your new D:. Very handy, and you should be able to copy those pictures off with no problem. But you raise a good issue: everything may not be what you expect. Yes, your programs will be very confused. For one thing, since you've installed Windows from scratch onto your new drive, the programs will no longer be "installed". They'll be present on the D: drive, but they'll no longer appear in the Start menu. If you do manage to locate and run one of the programs, it's likely that it'll fail since all of its settings that were kept in the Windows registry are no longer in the registry of the newly installed Windows. Temporary locations or other support files that are part of setting up a program are, effectively, wiped out with a clean install of Windows. "... since
you've installed Windows from scratch onto your new drive, the programs will no
longer be 'installed'."
The files will still be on the D: drive, but Windows, and the application, will have lost track of them. Now, there are applications out there that you can purchase that claim to be able to "move" installed programs from one computer to another, or from one hard disk to another. Because of the complexity involved in doing so reliably, I'm somewhat skeptical - but it's skepticism born of ignorance, as I've not tried such a utility. Yet. I do have a copy of one of the more reputable programs on my shelf for evaluation later this year. Without such a utility, the solution is to reinstall all of your applications from their initial install CDs. In my opinion that's one of the most reliable approaches you can take. It is a bit of work - but once done, you have not only a fresh, clean install of Windows, but the same for all of the applications you chose to reinstall. Once the applications have been reinstalled, you can copy over data files from your old drive and be on your way. We're not done! I can't let this go without this comment: You're not backing up, and you should be. If you have important things on your hard drive that you don't want to lose and they're only on that hard drive - you're taking a huge risk. Some day that hard disk might die - without warning, and without recovery. You could easily lose everything that's on it. I strongly recommend you take this opportunity to invest in a backup strategy that will cover your assets in case of a disaster scenario. Related:
Article 10824 | Posted October 18, 2006 |
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I have replaced motherboards and kept the hard drive many times over the years without any problems.
Well, one "minor" problem with an easy workaround. The first time you boot to Windows (assuming this is a Windows system, given the references to "C:" and "D:"), it will probably detect new hardware and will want to install new drivers off the Windows CD. Unfortunately, I have had motherboard upgrades where this "insert the Windows CD" prompt occurs _before_ the CD drivers are loaded, causing a nice Catch 22 situation.
To get around this, I make a "\windows.cd" directory on the hard drive, and copy the Windows install CD there _before_ installing the new motherboard. Then, simply tell the new hardware wizard to look there, rather than the CD drive itself.
Posted by: Ken at October 19, 2006 7:23 AMWell, some days before I have read something about copying windows registry, specially "\...\WAB", and "\system32" directory. After that I supposed was told to get some "merge program", and run it including these two situations. The issue was making ourselves a new computer and tranfer the windows serial to the new one, including hard disks and keep them ok. Might be good discoussing these options ? Something good to keep from this?
Posted by: Vic at October 22, 2006 7:20 PMVic
I've got a client that has had their mobo and cpu fried, so ive replaced both those, but here is where the problem lies, they did not back up their system and would like to keep everything the way it was on the old hdd without reformatting and losing all data and programs installed (as they do not have the original install files for these programs). My question is (as i know the old xp pro hdd will not boot with new system) i've already run the repair install and recovery console, but to no avail, it gets stuck un the boot loop like many others. But, i have built my own machine with the same system (mobo and cpu) with a clean xp pro install which does not have any programs or devices installed.... could i swap the start up files to the old hdd with the same mobo and cpu to get it started to detect all the new drivers and keep programs and data etc. and if so, what files would i need to replace on the old hdd from my clean hdd? (ive already tried everything i can think of and this popped into mind) btw, i cannot boot into safe mode on the old hdd to remove the drivers so windows will pick them up on repair for the new mobo. and the system when boots in safe mode will hang on 'gagp30kx.sys' which i assume is the video card? or failing that, how would i go about deleting the drivers that try to boot using recovery console. sorry for the long question, im just at that stage where ive been over and over with this thing for days and becoming a zombie. cheers and thanks in advance, pammii.
Posted by: pammii at October 31, 2006 5:42 PMLinux. Many distributions available, free for the price of downloading and burning it.
Posted by: Skandi Franksen at November 3, 2006 8:45 PMI swapped a SATA HD and Grafx card into a fully functional system. Windows would not go. Linux go'ed. Writing this while hunting down a way to make Windows go (for one game only, once I'm done with it I reformat and say goodbye to Windows on my personal boxes).
Why is it so easy to--and get this, hot plug a hard drive into your mobo--change hardware on other OSs while the leading OS supplier's software costs so many man-hours to change? Motherboards' lifespans are finite--not that they die, always, but c'mon, the technology changes.
Hi Leo, My, Motherboard has failed me, and I have important data on my HDD(which has windowsxp installed), when I put it in another computer, it just makes a blinking sound and I get the message 'Cannot read HDD'. Is there anything I can do to use this HDD again?
Posted by: dave at November 8, 2006 4:21 AMA local competent builder is assembling a new machine for me. New: motherboard; new boxed version XPpro; new HD. Old: XPpro; 2 HD; several Autocad,Catia & Solidworks programs. How to transfer to the new machine? I realize this is already partially answered in your column but the "devil" is in the details! Specific questions are best when all details are given. Some friends advise Magic Mover. That seems to out of date. I am in no hurry to lose programs. This seems to be a common task, as 2 other of this builder's customer's are attempting to do the same task. Also I have no agreement on partitioning of the new HD. How many partitions of what size? I have about 20 gig of cad type programs now.
Posted by: arlie at July 2, 2007 10:05 AM