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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 ... • 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. Related:
Article 4655 | Posted April 1, 2005 |
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I installed a new MOBO and have everything running, I have alot of files backed up on 2 other HDDs, They work and are recognized BUT XP would like to reformat them. I dont want that. Is there ANY way to not have to format the 2 HDDs?
Posted by: Matt Miller at December 27, 2006 3:08 PMJust replaced the motherboard and processor. Went to do a reformat, but when we put the xp disc in, it goes through all the checks, but when you get to the first screen where you hit "Enter" to install, once you hit enter it just freezes and says "Please Wait..." at the bottom of the screen. We have tried several different known good sticks of ram, several known good hard drives, and cant seem to figure it out.
Posted by: Justin at January 16, 2007 2:07 PMI am soon to replace the motherboard and CPU. I just need to know whether or not i will need to do a complete re-format. I am asking because i have a pre-installed windows xp system thus i have no OS disk. This is a really great feature to have as i can put my computer back to purchase state whenever i want but i need to know if this will work when i have replaced the board and cpu. When i do the change over my computer will be back in its purchase state and so when i go to turn the pc back on it will go straight into xp setup. Will this work the same way as having to format and boot from an xp disk?
Posted by: Brad at March 20, 2007 11:35 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
Please read the article you just commented on. It addresses exactly that
question.
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at March 20, 2007 1:01 PM11GAwT8T9WItPZJya9h3MvU=
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I was pretty jazzed about the prospect of changing out my OEM motherboard. Shame on me, I bought a system without PCI-e. I believe many of us have OEM systems and they do not come with WIN XP CD. As I researched the issue I discovered that there is NO common ground among the "experts". My IT rep said - "just drop that baby in and power it up - no need to do anything else" Yeah right. Too many conflicting opinions. My advice - for the faint of heart - save your bucks and get a new system that meets your needs. It's pretty sad really, all the great board bundles out there - and you are stopped dead in your wide eyed tracks. No CD - NO upgrade.
Posted by: Dan Thompson at May 11, 2008 11:31 AMI 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
Posted by: oldtimer at October 25, 2008 3:36 AM