Motherboard Installation Question

**BrokenApe** · 09-25-11, 12:54 PM

When changing to a new motherboard am I going to have to do anything special like reformat or can I get away with just wasting most of a day procrastinating and finally dissasembling and reassembling the PC with the new hardware?

**deputyfestus** · 09-25-11, 01:07 PM

I'm not positive about this but I think if you install the drivers for the new mb before disassembling your current rig then formatting is not required.

**GReYVee** · 09-25-11, 01:19 PM

A reformat is quite likely and recommended IMO. You could try uninstalling most of your drivers (I don't see how you would install them prior to putting in the board), shutting down and putting in the new mother board.

Keep in mind as well Windows license use bases it's need for reactivation from the number of hardware changes observed (as to prevent people from just taking their old copy and putting it into multiple PCs). Changing out the motherboard is going to essentially tell windows everything has changed.

**BrokenApe** · 09-25-11, 01:27 PM

oh I do plan on reformatting.. just I don't want to spend the entire day messing with the PC you see, figure on doing that in the next day or two.. just wanted to see if the PC would go nuts in the meantime

**deputyfestus** · 09-25-11, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by GReYVee

A reformat is quite likely and recommended IMO. You could try uninstalling most of your drivers (I don't see how you would install them prior to putting in the board), shutting down and putting in the new mother board.

Keep in mind as well Windows license use bases it's need for reactivation from the number of hardware changes observed (as to prevent people from just taking their old copy and putting it into multiple PCs). Changing out the motherboard is going to essentially tell windows everything has changed.

The reason I only buy a builder version and yes I would reformat as well.

**GReYVee** · 09-25-11, 03:31 PM

OEM licenses will still give a tissy over it, but reactivation is easy in this case.

**Forquetsson** · 09-25-11, 03:52 PM

Don't know what OS you've got, but I was successful in keeping my XP install from a Pentium D compatible motherboard to an i5. Just make sure you know what your old drivers are so you can uninstall them later.