Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Reinstalling Windows is often recommended when replacing a motherboard with a different model. But there are scenarios where it may not be needed.
•
It's not always true, it's usually at least half true, and in reality it's practically true.
Truth can be confusing, can't it? Let me explain ...
•
Replacing the motherboard is pretty darned close to building a new machine from scratch. It really is the heart and soul of a machine, as well as it's brain. And with so many so called "peripheral" devices placed directly on the motherboard, you could be changing out a lot more than you might think of.
Now, "it's not always true" because there are certainly situations where it may not be necessary, but it really requires being on top of exactly what's being replaced. If you were to replace a motherboard with the exact same kind of motherboard, a reinstall might not be necessary. Similarly, it's possible that within certain motherboard families you can get away with not re-installing the operating system. Heck, it might even kinda sorta work with some boards that aren't even related. But I sure wouldn't want to bet on "kinda sorta" on my PCs.
It's "usually half true" because technically you don't have to reformat. Reinstall, yes, but the reformat is optional. You can install on top of the old hard disk's contents if you like without the reformatting step.
It's "practically true", because if you're going to reinstall anyway, it makes practical sense to clean up the hard drive with a reformat before you do so. Take advantage of the opportunity.
So my advice: I'd always plan on backing up, and then reformatting and reinstalling on a motherboard change, unless it was exactly the same motherboard.
Article C2320 - April 1, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
October 21, 2009 11:36 AM
How to replace the motherboard:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125
March 24, 2010 8:19 AM
Hi this what you do when you buy a new motherboard makes shure that the old stuff be out of date when getting new baord check to see if it the video card supports and ram. if it do support or just put it in and turn on the pc go to bios change the boot drive to cd or dvd and put windows disk in and save bios setting boot from disk start installing the windows put your key in do the instuctions what says on cd if you using rad drive hit one of the key and add them in. Next reformatt the drive and it tells you what do when done installing your windos put in your motherboard drivers 4-1 other if you using on board sound or other features. Later could up date your motherboad drivers and and your video card drivers get the latest ones keep your pc update. That how you install windows All it's so simple to do.
March 24, 2010 8:49 AM
Hi if you have problems that your pc runs slow when and having the lag or freeze that cause it is video card and windows XP needs 256 of ram that not include the games you install better 1 gig or more Vista and win 7 needs about 2 gig of ram to run better run a lot better if you put more ram better check to see if your motherboard supports more ram. When buy in a new hard drive or ram buy the bigest one cause they on sale look for the deals first. This tells you your games need ram or a better video card with ram on it like GTA,Call of Duty all,Unreal all,new programs read first when buy new Games Software need a lease 2.2. or 2.8 GHz the new stuff wants a lease 8 gig of room to install read first what you want to do with your Computer. The Shellshock2 needs 3GHz or larger single core processor.
April 23, 2010 7:47 PM
I just bought a new battery for my laptop and but it doesn't charge up. Dell tells me since my AC adaptor is working properly, it may be my motherboard that is not "recognizing" my new batter for charging. They recommend that I replace my motherboard. That's costly for me at this time. Plus, I may also lose my data in the process. What should I do?
June 14, 2011 10:50 AM
i have a kinda fast pc im think bwt changing the mother board so it can support more than 4 G ram and a newer CPU(i3 or i5) wt would u guys recommend ?