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Beginners Guides: Upgrading A Motherboard Without Reinstalling
Beginners Guides: Upgrading A Motherboard Without Reinstalling - PCSTATS
You can upgrade a processor or add a new memory module without causing so much as a blip from Windows XP, but a new motherboard can and will cause XP to stop booting.
Filed under: Beginners Guides Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PCSTATS Mar 12 2005   M. Dowler  
Home > Reviews > Beginners Guides > PCSTATS

Making windows XP work with new hardware

Unfortunately, swapping out the motherboard is not the end of your toils. Windows really doesn't like having the motherboard changed underneath it, and will generally refuse to boot at all, unless the new motherboard uses the same chipset. No problem. Read on.

Doing a Windows Repair install

To accustom Windows XP to your new hardware, you now need to perform a Windows XP repair install, which redetects all hardware and reinstalls system files without touching the registry or user data present on the system. This process adapts your Windows XP install to the new motherboard it is running on.

To do this insert the Windows CD and restart the PC.
Choose the 'press enter to set up Windows XP now' option.
Press F8 to skip through the EULA.
Now press R to begin a repair installation.
Your system will go through the entire XP install process, but will not attempt to replace any of your existing data. It will simply reinstall the system files and redetect all hardware. Once the process has completed, your computer will reboot and we can move on to the next step.
(re)Activating Windows

As you may know, Windows XP requires an activation code in order to function. This code is obtained from Microsoft in exchange for a numerical hash based on the hardware in your computer when you first activate the operating system. When you make major changes to your computer's hardware, this number will change and your XP installation will deactivate itself, requiring you to obtain a new activation code.

As the motherboard is the central nervous system of your computer, it's about the most major change you can make. Changing the motherboard will almost certainly require you to reactivate windows.

Fortunately, the procedure is simple, though you will need your license key from your XP package. Once the system has booted up and prompts you to reactivate, follow the on-screen prompts to call Microsoft (toll-free) and obtain a new activation code.

Updating drivers and re-patching

The last phase of the operation is to make sure everything is up to date with your operating system and device drivers.

Install the motherboard drivers from the provided CD if necessary. If Windows cannot find the drivers for any devices attached to the new motherboard, you will be prompted for them.

Double check by opening the device manager window (right click 'my computer,' select 'manage' then 'device manager') and making sure that there are no devices with yellow exclamation marks next to them (or at least no new ones). These indicate a device that does not have drivers correctly installed or is not working properly. Install drivers if necessary.

The last step is to run your Windows installation through the Windows update process again, since the repair install will remove any service packs and security patches that you had previously installed. Connect to the Internet and run 'Windows update' from 'start menu\all programs.'

Once the update process is complete, your system should be good to go. Enjoy the new motherboard, and the feeling of a job well done. Feel free to email us with any additional questions you may have involving this article, or try the forums.

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- Windows XP Service Pack 2
- Firewall Setup and Configuration
-Eliminating Spyware and Hijacker Software
- Diagnosing Bad Memory
- 101 Tips and Tweaks for WindowsXP
- Burning CDs and DVDs
- Optical Drives & Recording Formats
- Securing Your Wireless Network
- Little Known Features of WindowsXP
- Ergonomics & Computers
- Annual PC Checkup
- Installing WindowsXP
- Encryption and Online Privacy
- Home Networking and File Sharing
- Forgotten Passwords & Recovery Methods
- Preventing Data Theft from a Stolen Laptop
- Creating a Weblog / Blog
- Installing RAID on Desktop PCs
- RAM, Memory and Upgrading
- Ten Steps to a Secure PC
- Flashing A Motherboard BIOS
- Windows XP Safe Mode Explained
- Upgrading Win98 to Windows XP
- USB Memory Drive Projects
- 104 Great Tech Tips for Windows XP
- Unattended Windows 2000/XP Installations
- Fundamentals of Upgrading a PC
- The Registry: Backups, Repairs, and Protection
- Diagnosing Bad Hard Drives
- Decrypting Document & Zipped File Passwords
- Spyware protection and Removal
- Wireless home networking
- Internet Connection Sharing
- Remote Access to Computers
- Hard Drive Data Recovery
- Firewalls and Internet Security
- Back up and Restore Data in WinXP
- Assembling Your Own PC
- VPNs and Internet Connection Security
- Legally Copying Software and Music
- Setting up a FTP Server in WinXP
- Creating MP3 Music Files
- Stopping Spam
- Cloning WindowsXP
- Browser Hijacking and How to Stop It
- Printer Sharing on a Home Network
- Converting Videotape Into Video Files
- Creating a WindowsXP Install CD with Service Pack 2
- Creating a Flashing a Video Card BIOS
- Making DVD Movies from Video Files
- Synchronizing Files and Folders
- Crash Recovery and the Blue Screen of Death
- Most Common Ways to Kill a PC
- WindowsXP Command Prompt
- Linux Part 1: Getting Familiar
- Linux Part 2: Installing a PC

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Contents of Article: PCSTATS
 Pg 1.  Beginners Guides: Upgrading A Motherboard Without Reinstalling
 Pg 2.  Pulling out the Old Hardware
 Pg 3.  Part 2: Installing the new motherboard
 Pg 4.  Installing the Motherboard
 Pg 5.  — Making windows XP work with new hardware

 
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