Do I have to reinstall windows if I replace the motherboard?

Question

My Asrock (sis chipset) motherboard died the other day, and when I went to buy a new one at the computer store, the guy told me that the only way to replace my motherboard without having to reinstall windows is if I buy another motherboard based on the sis chipset. Well he sold me a MSI K8MM3 , but when I get it home, all the documentation says that it is a via chipset.

I do not want to have to reinstall windows. So should I return this motherboard and find a sis one (seemed hard to find), or will I be fine installing it?

Answer 1

It's a bit hit and miss .... I've had several instances where I've had to change MoBo's and some let you power up and some don't.
If it's an OEM install of Windows then chances are you'll have to re-install because the Windows Registry will not recognise your board ... The computer shop guy was on the right track ... if you can match (or go close to) your original chipset then it should at least boot and let you load the correct drivers .... otherwise it will just loop through the post screen

Answer 2

You'll likely take a serious performance hit if you switch motherboards without reformatting, especially with the Via chipset. It's not just a matter of having the same components in the system - you have to think how every device speaks to the other - bus controllers vary from motherboard to motherboard, as do the BIOSes (there is no unified BIOS, yet).

Also, Windows XP is a stickler for changing hardware, especially something that fundamental - lately, they've been very serious about forcing you to call - especially if you had the WGA patch installed.

That being said, it will run. But stability will certainly be questionable.

Answer 3

You will not have to actually reinstall windows per se... but you will need to have a reconfiguaration of the operating system so that it can recognize the hardware change(s) you have made.

The procedure for a dead motherboard is basically power down, replace board, boot with operating system CD in the machine, and then select the R option to REPAIR the existing windows installation (this will preserve your files and structure, etc.)

Details are available in a number of places, but start with the Micro$oft site...

Answer 4

YES!!! The original installed operating system has all the information about the original motherboard stored in it's registry!
The drivers for the different features of the old motherboard and its bios, are all part of the original operating system (WINDOWS).

You must delete the original C: partition, make a new partition, format it in NTFS and install windows. Then you must install all
the drivers and utilities that came with your new motherboard!

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
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PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
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Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”
Chapter 13: What’s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4007.html
http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/
http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
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www.newegg.com
www.monarchcomputers.com

Answer 5

While you dont actually have to reinstall windows, you can actually just uninstall all the drivers for your old motherboard and install the new ones, I highly suggest that you do reinstall. When you set up windows it sets up to your motherboard configuration, so when you get a new motherboard you should re-set it up. So in short: it is possibly to do it without reinstalling windows, but highly not recommended, and hard to do.

Answer 6

The guy at the computer store is looking to rip you off. You don't have to reinstall windows to replace your mobo. You may have to reactivate XP. Which is no big deal. But I doubt you will have too. I changed my mobo, video card, memory and never had to reinstall windows.

Answer 7

He is full of beans! Your hard drive will still have windows on it! You WILL however have to install the right mobo drivers! When you get the new mobo installed, first thing to do is run the driver installation cd!

Answer 8

Install it start in save mode go to device manager UN install drivers restart computer it will install new drivers.

Answer 9

No all your info is on the hard drive so just reinstall the hard drive and it will take it from there.

Answer 10

just install the drivers that come with your new motherboard, it will work fine. may get the blue screen of death if you dont. read your manuals.

-Doc-