Summary: Reinstalling Windows is often recommended when replacing a motherboard with a different model. But there are scenarios where it may not be needed.
I want to replace the motherboard in my computer which is running Windows XP Home. I have been told that I must format the existing hard drive and reinstall the operating system before the computer will recognize the new motherboard. Is this true?
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 ...
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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.
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I remove my previours hard disk because it corrupt!!
Posted by: Camnam Namina at June 26, 2008 5:50 AMI buy a new one and reformat it with windows xp sp2, After loading everything form windows xp sp2, and comes to a state where Setup is Starting Windows, it stays there and won't continue..can anyone HELP ME PLEASE!!!!
Self-built system in December. Motherboard died last week. Warranty replaced the identical board. I installed it, and everything works fine...except the system will NOT shut down. Go to shut down, and it restarts everytime. Nothing in the log file...don't know what to do.
Posted by: Jason Klug at July 16, 2008 12:18 PMI built a new computer from scratch and installed windows xp pro OEM with sp3. The motherboard went crazy. I replaced with a totally different model. Can I reinstall that copy of windows?
Posted by: Don Wade at August 27, 2008 2:57 PMHi. I am new to the whole computer building thing having only done one before. Working on a second build for a friend and have a lot more trouble than the first. His MoBo was zapped so i told him i could install a new one for him. Ended up installing the mobo and all his existing peripherals except cd-rom (had to get a Sata CD rom drive because his new motherboard didn't have the Eida ports for the old one. Heres the problems... the board will not recognize the old hard drive in the bios. I figured whatever killed the old Mobo killed the Hrd Drive as well so we picked up a new WD caviar and installed it... still no luck. Am i Missing a step here or is possible the Eida port on the mobo dead? From reading the article i think maybe i need to format the disk. How Do i do that? Help please!
Posted by: Kevin at October 21, 2008 8:17 AMWhat a waste of space this article is. All you've done Leo is sit on the fence and muddled the information on what you can and can't do. Where's the definitive YES or NO that people count on from the techs-for-hire? The answer is out there..the CLEAR answer. Fortunately I had it before I came here. Look elsewhere people and you will find it is possible.
25-Oct-2008
I've actually had some luck not reformatting. I got Windows XP Pro a few days after it came out. Shortly thereafter, I joined the military, moved away from home, and was sent over seas. Of course, I had my PC shipped to me, but alot of my disks were missing, including Windows XP.
Long story short (Too late, I know) I decided it was time to upgrade my PC... Mobo, CPU, everything. Except I had 2 perfectly good hard drives! Went from a Socket A CPU to a 939, and an Acer Mobo to a MSI, then a Biostar a few months later. Windows... well, it wasn't happy, I had to fix a ton of errors, but they were all either settings that needed to be set/reset/updated, or drivers to install. THEN, I went from that set up, to another Acer Board, with an Intel CPU. Again, worked, after I spent a while fixing it.
Granted, it was a moot point, I only did it because I was bored waiting for Vista to arrive... but it did work.
All told... 5 years, and 3 "Heart, soul, and brain" transplants, and even went from AMD to Intel. All because I couldn't find my XP install disk! Its possible to not reinstall... I just don't think its likely. I'm pretty sure I was exceptionally lucky each time.
Posted by: Tribesman2004 at January 8, 2009 10:21 PMi just replaced my mother board with a a new one due to damage while shipping, i reformated my hard drive with windows vista, but now when i hook my air card up to the computer to get online, it will load the program, connect, then just shut off, and automatically load the program and it just keeps doing that, it will connect for 3 seconds then just cut off. could this be because of a bad install?
Posted by: jose at May 2, 2009 12:55 AMHello !!
Posted by: Karanveer Singh at May 17, 2009 10:23 PMI want to change my Motherboard and upgrade RAM.Basically I want to updgrade my PC for gaming.
The problem is that I currently I am Using Intel 865G motherboard and intel P4 2.60Ghz processor with 256MB ram, 865G supports DDR Ram, if I try to buy 1 GB DDR ram, its too costly, so somebody gave me idea to change the motherboard and opt for DDR 2 Ram which is very cheap, so I want to Know about the latest motherboard with Graphics card installed on it , which can use P4 2.60ghz process so that i need not buy new processor , can anybody guide me (OR tell me suitable motherboard) .. Thanks in Advance ..
I have a question? i have bought a new motherboard. The old motherboard i had removed everything from the old motherboard and install it to the new motherboard. But when im done doing that when i turn on my computer would it take me straight to windows like normal or i have to do something else before like going to bios or something else?
Posted by: Cindy Hernandez at October 12, 2009 8:31 PMHow to replace the motherboard:
Posted by: Gates at October 21, 2009 11:36 AMhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125