Changing Motherboard - retaining HDD

[John Bear]

I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
daughter's XP machine.

The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
copy of XP Home for the system.

Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
cannot believe this is all that hard.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
/bear

[Patty MacDuffie]

You can just try making the change and booting up. This worked for me =
when I made similar changes (and a few more), but I've heard from others =
it isn't always so smooth. Still, it may be worth a try. Otherwise, =
make your hardware changes and then boot with the XP CD in the drive and =
run a Repair installation of XP. You don't want to choose to Repair the =
first time it asks, that's using the recovery console, you want to go =
ahead with setup, and choose a repair install the second time it asks =
about repair.
--=20
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"John Bear" > wrote in message =
...
> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my=20
> daughter's XP machine.
>=20
> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new=20
> copy of XP Home for the system.
>=20
> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the=20
> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I=20
> cannot believe this is all that hard.
>=20
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>=20
> Thanks
> /bear

[sqr]

Patty you are exactly correct and I agree with you 101%

--
sqr
Overseer: alt.os.windows-xp
--
ftp://sqr.myftp.biz


"Patty MacDuffie" > wrote in message
...
You can just try making the change and booting up. This worked for me when
I made similar changes (and a few more), but I've heard from others it isn't
always so smooth. Still, it may be worth a try. Otherwise, make your
hardware changes and then boot with the XP CD in the drive and run a Repair
installation of XP. You don't want to choose to Repair the first time it
asks, that's using the recovery console, you want to go ahead with setup,
and choose a repair install the second time it asks about repair.
--
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"John Bear" > wrote in message
...
> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> daughter's XP machine.
>
> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> copy of XP Home for the system.
>
> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> cannot believe this is all that hard.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> /bear

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old one
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), you'll
need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"John Bear" > wrote in message
...
> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> daughter's XP machine.
>
> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> copy of XP Home for the system.
>
> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> cannot believe this is all that hard.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> /bear

[Michael Stevens]

John Bear wrote:
> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> daughter's XP machine.
>
> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> copy of XP Home for the system.
>
> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> cannot believe this is all that hard.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> /bear

You should do a repair install unless you are a gambling man.
See link below for more information.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

[Patty MacDuffie]

This just isn't true, Bruce. It handled a motherboard, processor, video =
card, RAM upgrade all at once, simply by rebooting and redetecting. It =
was the same manufacturer of motherboard, but different chipset, =
different speed processor, totally different video card. XP is very =
good at this stuff.
--=20
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message =
...
> Greetings --
>=20
> Unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old one
> (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), you'll
> need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
> the very least:
>=20
> How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
> =
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=3DKB;EN-US;Q315341
>=20
> As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
> important data before starting.
>=20
>=20
> Bruce Chambers
>=20
> --
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>=20
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> having both at once. -- RAH
>=20
>=20
> "John Bear" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> > daughter's XP machine.
> >
> > The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> > copy of XP Home for the system.
> >
> > Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> > Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> > cannot believe this is all that hard.
> >
> > Any help will be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> > /bear
>=20
>

[Patty MacDuffie]

Thank you, sqr. :)
--=20
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"sqr" > wrote in message =
...
> Patty you are exactly correct and I agree with you 101%
>=20
> --=20
> sqr
> Overseer: alt.os.windows-xp
> --
> ftp://sqr.myftp.biz
>=20
>=20
> "Patty MacDuffie" > wrote in =
message
> ...
> You can just try making the change and booting up. This worked for me =
when
> I made similar changes (and a few more), but I've heard from others it =
isn't
> always so smooth. Still, it may be worth a try. Otherwise, make your
> hardware changes and then boot with the XP CD in the drive and run a =
Repair
> installation of XP. You don't want to choose to Repair the first time =
it
> asks, that's using the recovery console, you want to go ahead with =
setup,
> and choose a repair install the second time it asks about repair.
> --=20
> Patty MacDuffie
> Windows XP MVP
>=20
> "John Bear" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> > daughter's XP machine.
> >
> > The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> > copy of XP Home for the system.
> >
> > Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> > Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> > cannot believe this is all that hard.
> >
> > Any help will be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> > /bear
>=20
>

[Michael Stevens]

Patty MacDuffie wrote:
> This just isn't true, Bruce. It handled a motherboard, processor,
> video card, RAM upgrade all at once, simply by rebooting and
> redetecting. It was the same manufacturer of motherboard, but
> different chipset, different speed processor, totally different video
> card. XP is very good at this stuff.
>

Patty,
I have found that if the first boot is unsuccessful, there is a big chance
you will never get it to boot and you will need to format and reinstall. I
find the stakes too high for me to boot into Windows XP after a MB change
without the repair install. It's too much like Russian Roulette, if you lose
it can be fatal.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

> "Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Greetings --
>>
>> Unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old one
>> (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), you'll
>> need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
>> the very least:
>>
>> How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341
>>
>> As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
>> important data before starting.
>>
>>
>> Bruce Chambers
>>
>> --
>> Help us help you:
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
>> having both at once. -- RAH
>>
>>
>> "John Bear" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
>>> daughter's XP machine.
>>>
>>> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
>>> copy of XP Home for the system.
>>>
>>> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
>>> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
>>> cannot believe this is all that hard.
>>>
>>> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> /bear

[Alex Nichol]

John Bear wrote:

>I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my=20
>daughter's XP machine.
>
>The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new=20
>copy of XP Home for the system.

You do not need to buy another copy. Presuming you have a retail copy
of the system (if it was an 'OEM' one that came with the machine you
need to get the parts from the maker and follow their instructions).

Shut down and fit the new components. Check the Motherboard's manual on
the correct Hot Key to hit as you first power up in order to enter the
'BIOS Setup' (Usually DEL, but can vary).

Boot, hitting that key as the memory count goes on, and set the correct
Date and Time. Make sure the hard disk is correctly detected. In
either Boot page or BIOS settings page, adjust the boot order to be
CD-Rom then Hard disk. Have the XP CD ready in the drive then hit ESC
to get out of that page and use Exit and save settings. This will then
boot the XP CD,=20

Start Setup then after the license agreement take 'Repair
Installation'. This will retain your existing software installations
and most settings. But Updates will have to be run again, especially
SP1; and if you have drivers that only arrived with that, like USB 2
ones, you will need to update drivers for the devices concerned. You
may find that things like virtual memory settings and some aspects of
appearance have reverted to defaults

This should retain your activation status, though if you have never
registered you may have the setup suggest it now (don't bother). ANd
should be OK if those are the only components that you change. But you
may nevertheless find you have made so many changes to hardware that you
have activate again by phoning in, explain and swap one long number for
another


--=20
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I'd say it was luck of the draw, that time. I don't think most
people will be so fortunate, but I'm glad to hear someone was. Males
me tempted to by a lottery ticket. ;-}

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Patty MacDuffie" > wrote in
message ...
This just isn't true, Bruce. It handled a motherboard, processor,
video card, RAM upgrade all at once, simply by rebooting and
redetecting. It was the same manufacturer of motherboard, but
different chipset, different speed processor, totally different video
card. XP is very good at this stuff.
--
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

[Patty MacDuffie]

Thanks, Michael. I obviously haven't tested that scenario. ; )
--=20
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"Michael Stevens" > wrote in message =
...
> Patty MacDuffie wrote:
> > This just isn't true, Bruce. It handled a motherboard, processor,
> > video card, RAM upgrade all at once, simply by rebooting and
> > redetecting. It was the same manufacturer of motherboard, but
> > different chipset, different speed processor, totally different =
video
> > card. XP is very good at this stuff.
> >
>=20
> Patty,
> I have found that if the first boot is unsuccessful, there is a big =
chance
> you will never get it to boot and you will need to format and =
reinstall. I
> find the stakes too high for me to boot into Windows XP after a MB =
change
> without the repair install. It's too much like Russian Roulette, if =
you lose
> it can be fatal.
>=20
> Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address =
box
> if using the web based newsgroup.
> Move XP to new hardware.
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
> --=20
>=20
> Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
>
> http://michaelstevenstech.com
> For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
>=20
> > "Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> Greetings --
> >>
> >> Unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old =
one
> >> (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), =
you'll
> >> need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
> >> the very least:
> >>
> >> How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
> >> =
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=3DKB;EN-US;Q315341
> >>
> >> As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up =
any
> >> important data before starting.
> >>
> >>
> >> Bruce Chambers
> >>
> >> --
> >> Help us help you:
> >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> >>
> >> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> >> having both at once. -- RAH
> >>
> >>
> >> "John Bear" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>> I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
> >>> daughter's XP machine.
> >>>
> >>> The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
> >>> copy of XP Home for the system.
> >>>
> >>> Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
> >>> Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
> >>> cannot believe this is all that hard.
> >>>
> >>> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks
> >>> /bear
>=20
>=20
>

[Patty MacDuffie]

LOL I never do buy lottery tickets though. ; )
--=20
Patty MacDuffie
Windows XP MVP

"Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message =
...
> Greetings --
>=20
> I'd say it was luck of the draw, that time. I don't think most
> people will be so fortunate, but I'm glad to hear someone was. Males
> me tempted to by a lottery ticket. ;-}
>=20
> Bruce Chambers
>=20

[Big-C]

On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 13:33:57 -0700, "Patty MacDuffie"
> wrote:

>> > I need to change out the motherboard and processor on my
>> > daughter's XP machine.
>> >
>> > The real question is how do I avoid having to buy a new
>> > copy of XP Home for the system.
>> >
>> > Do I do a complete reinstall. I read the stuff on the
>> > Microsoft Knowledge Base and it all looks GREEK to me. I
>> > cannot believe this is all that hard.
>> >
>> > Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Funny I just went thru this very same thing this week. My FIC
motherboard up and died on me. I had this happen a while back and all
of the menorys of horror come back.

I ordered a new mother board a Albatron KX400+ PRO, nothing like the
FIC. I installed my old memory chips and the AMD 1.9Gig . Install all
the PCI cards.

When it booted I went to the bios and made a few chages, saved them,
Rebooted and I'll be dammed if XP came up almost like nothing changed.
I installed the new mother board divers, fixed a few programs and I
was up and running in two hours

Needless to say Albatron got my vote

Gary