Geezer

If I put a new mother board in, will I have to reintsall the operating system and all the software?

I'm running XP at the mo, and I don't particularly want to have to go thruogh several hours of applying updates and SP and re-installing all of my software.

Any help greatly appreciated

Geezer

Figment

No, but

- when you switch on the new hardware wizard will go berswick while it finds all of the devices on the new mobo

- the device manager may/will show duplicate devices (old mobo + new mobo) when you "Show Hidden" devices

- XP will have to be re-activated, as you've made a significant change to the hardware in your PC

super_si

Id say yes.

it ultimatly depends if the manufacture is the same.

ive hard the problem using different ones it doesnt.

use the same say abit for both then yes it will boot.

Si

Daz34

In my experience I have always had to reinstall windows when changing a mobo.

Darren

kamikaze

i once replaced a motherboard and it was fine. no need to reinstall op sys. however it wouldnt suprise me if you had to.

Neil Smalley

I don't think you *have* to. But it's always a good idea to do a complete clean install, unless you are changing something minor such as a graphics/sound/NW card

ScoobyNoob

I've done many motherboard swaps over the years and to be honest I've found it best to re-install. You can usually get away with it but sometimes you can get all sorts of funny results, costing you far more time and trouble than re-installing would.

Plus it's nice to have a clean system now and again, it's amazing how much cr*p you accumulate!

Mickle

Don't forget you've got a 'Files and Settings Transfer Wizard' in XP so you won't have to worry about all the email/internet/personal docs/settings etc.

Easy

Geezer

ok,I thought as much,but thanks anyway for the usual speedy and informative answers.

Geezer

Jye

You might also have to re-activate XP.