Change new MB, do I need to reinstall Windows?

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pstar008

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#83396 16-May-2011 09:26

I am going to replace my MotherBoard and CPU(upgrade from Core2 Duo to i7), not sure do I need to reinstall my Windows Xp as well.

vinnieg

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#469503 16-May-2011 09:39

pstar008: I am going to replace my MotherBoard and CPU(upgrade from Core2 Duo to i7), not sure do I need to reinstall my Windows Xp as well.

no, but it is always better doing a clean install

Basically before you move motherboards, go into device manage and uninstall the drivers for:

Northbridge, southbridge and video card if you are upgrading that

Then once you put the hdd in the new PC and boot up, it'll ask you for the new drivers

Is it an OEM licence? If so it might require you to call Microsoft to re activate it, but all your settings and programs will remain untouched

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

wellygary

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#469504 16-May-2011 09:39

Quite likely,

You could try to boot in safe mode, but my gut feeling is that it will require a re-installation.

pstar008

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#469526 16-May-2011 10:18

Looks like one yes one no :D

There is another question, if looks like I need to reinstall or better to do a clean reinstall, I probably better off upgrade from Windows XP x86 to Win 7 x64 as it is supposed to run better in modern hardware? Problem is reinstall Windows duo boot with Linux will likely take a day or two from my weekend.

xpd

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#469529 16-May-2011 10:26

Ideally start clean - you can just swap hardware and then do a Windows XP repair, and that usually (85% of the time for me) works fine.
Highly recommend Win7 :)

XPD / Gavin

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Asmodeus

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#469530 16-May-2011 10:27

pstar008: ...I probably better off upgrade from Windows XP x86 to Win 7 x64....

Indeed

Bee

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#469532 16-May-2011 10:34

Possibly what would make this easier is to buy a new HDD as well, Clean instal Windows 7 then copy Data across from the old Hdd. Alternatively backup and format the existing HDD and start again.

Depends on budget and size of existing HDD I guess - timewise installing Windows 7 and other applications is always going to take a long time. and then there will be quite a few Windows Updates - Especially if you are not installing from a SP1 disc.

Ive only done the Win XP thing replacing mother board twice (well actually moving HDD to a different PC) one time it worked (thou the device manager looked rather messy) and the other time it just couldnt cope at all and got so confused it wouldnt boot at all... - definitely worth doing a clean install to save the possible hassle/ headaches...

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

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jjnz1

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#469534 16-May-2011 10:38

Bee: Possibly what would make this easier is to buy a new HDD as well, Clean instal Windows 7 then copy Data across from the old Hdd. Alternatively backup and format the existing HDD and start again.

Depends on budget and size of existing HDD I guess - timewise installing Windows 7 and other applications is always going to take a long time. and then there will be quite a few Windows Updates - Especially if you are not installing from a SP1 disc.

I'd highly recommend buying an SSD, at least 60GB, and installing a fresh copy of Win7 on that...

You won't be disappointed!!!!

pstar008

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#469538 16-May-2011 10:54

Bee: Possibly what would make this easier is to buy a new HDD as well, Clean instal Windows 7 then copy Data across from the old Hdd. Alternatively backup and format the existing HDD and start again.

Depends on budget and size of existing HDD I guess - timewise installing Windows 7 and other applications is always going to take a long time. and then there will be quite a few Windows Updates - Especially if you are not installing from a SP1 disc.

Ive only done the Win XP thing replacing mother board twice (well actually moving HDD to a different PC) one time it worked (thou the device manager looked rather messy) and the other time it just couldnt cope at all and got so confused it wouldnt boot at all... - definitely worth doing a clean install to save the possible hassle/ headaches...

I think the data shouldn't be a problem, they are in different partition, and I will use a USB drive for important data backup just in case. But hunting down the applications I need to install for new system and get the drivers and system updated is the most time consuming part.

pstar008

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#469540 16-May-2011 10:59

jjnz1:
Bee: Possibly what would make this easier is to buy a new HDD as well, Clean instal Windows 7 then copy Data across from the old Hdd. Alternatively backup and format the existing HDD and start again.

Depends on budget and size of existing HDD I guess - timewise installing Windows 7 and other applications is always going to take a long time. and then there will be quite a few Windows Updates - Especially if you are not installing from a SP1 disc.

I'd highly recommend buying an SSD, at least 60GB, and installing a fresh copy of Win7 on that...

You won't be disappointed!!!!

Been itching for SSD for years, but the budget just not there, plus why SSDs are still so expensive, I would rather spent extra money for more ram for fast application start time.

webwat

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#469584 16-May-2011 12:18

xpd: Ideally start clean - you can just swap hardware and then do a Windows XP repair, and that usually (85% of the time for me) works fine.
Highly recommend Win7 :)

Yup, the windows repair will update all the drivers for the new motherboard, or you could do an "upgrade" if it gives you that option when you choose the new install without deleting windows -- which also detects and updates all drivers.

Time to find a new industry!

kyhwana2

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#469614 16-May-2011 13:11

Usually when swapping CPU architectures or chipsets (ie X58->P67, etc) you need to reinstall, either from scratch or as a repair.
If you've had that install for a while, i'd take the oppertunity to back everything up and do a fresh install.

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wreck90

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#469624 16-May-2011 13:30

Depending on your windows license you may need to buy a new OS.

If you have an OEM license, then, you may not be able to install your old OS on a new machine.

You may have luck in convincing Microsoft to let you do this but don't count on it.

This is regardless of whether you reinstall or use the old OS though.

This is my experience with windows 7 - i'm assuming xp has similar checks.