How to replace Motherboard

[WhiteHawk]

Want to upgrade my MOBO to be compatable with ddr RAM.
1.  Need to make sure it is compatable with my puter (it fits and i
     dont get a bunch of 16 prong connecter lsots and have 17
     progn connectors )

2. What about my hardrive data?  What do I have to do to
    avoid a complete loss of data?  Do I have to
    reinstall my windows AH or ather programs?

3.  Do I use the same processor as mine or do I have do get
     a new one.

4.  Have i asked some questions that would make it foolish
     for me to try to upgrade my MOBO?

  thnx

[Defiance]

Hiya,
Best post current pc specs

Then it would be easier to help

I assume you already have a DDR mobo, With this in mind it basicly boils down to choosing a new mobo (gotta be ATX type i am 99.9% sure lol)

Anyways from assuming a few things....
I have had 50% success swapping mobo/cpu and keeping HD intact
Though i always do a full-install of OS as a matter of course when a new rig is running

If now your orig cpu/ram/vid etc etc are good to keep with a new mobo upgrade it's a basic easy swap as such

Choices as i see em ............
#1 : Swap mobo (after suggestions/advice etc) and backup essential data to cdr etc etc then do complete fresh OS install and add saved data

#2 : Swap mobo and use HD etc as-is and get to see if alls well

#3 : Either way after trying/sorting/fixing i would 100% suggest doing a re-install of preffered OS asap

#4 : Wait for others input and do some research

I assume you will be swapping from say AMD to another AMD mobo ?  or visa-versa with Intel

This is what i mean by my 50% basic mobo swapping

If you are gonna try swapping a amd to intel (or visa-versa) i don't think you will find it can be achieved easily

Just tested my main HD with 2 relatives rigs and alls well (all of ours are amd based)

So get ya current specs up so we all can throw some suggestions your way

BTW to answer thread title ...........
Earth yaself (wrist band u can buy or just de-static yaself (hold eathed pipe) and keep a hand on metal chassis of case)
Remove guts of pc  cards leads and ribbons ect (make a note of where all goes if you r completely new to inside a pc eg, small marker pen lettering on ribbons etc )
When mobo is clear on most cases the backing it's fixed to will remove from the side of case or swingout, If not to finally remove mobo u carefully unscrew/twist/click/prize/ratchet/hammer n chissel (hmm best calm down  lol) anyways just undo mobo n carefully take it out avoiding holding onto anything resmbling a chip/or delicate fitting (try to grab onto somert like edges or pci slots

Never force a mobo or any other pc component ! use your eyes and common sense and a bit of persuasion

Basicly don't static shock mobo etc and do not rip her out allowing scratches etc to kill it   lol

[Dinger]

Yeah, I've done it.
Unless you're operating on an emergency basis (and that happens some times), I strongly recommend you reinstall everything.

So, what you do:
First, you download the latest versions of all drivers.  If the version of windows you have on the installation disk underwent subsequent patching, download the appropriate windows Service Packs (Note: Be sure you're getting the full network version).

Now, you're ready to swap the motherboard.
A. Ideal situation:
1) Buy a new hard drive, and set it up on IDE0 as master.  Hook up the old hard drive as well.
2) install a fresh copy of windows onto the new hard drive; then update your drivers from windows.

(a variation on this ideal situation involves formatting an existing HD)

B. Decent situation:
1) swap the MB and keep the existing HD install, and do a "system repair".  Of course, not even microsoft can keep straight their registry entries, so there's a pretty good chance this will screw up your computer.
2) get the computer working again, and reinstall drive4rs.

C. Prayer.
1) Swap the MB and start it up. Let windows sort it out for you.
2) When it crashes, hit the reset button.  Repeat as necessary.

[Siaf__csf]

If you were smart and you partitioned your harddrive in at least 2 partitions, one smaller part to contain only system files and other large one with all your valuables, you're home free.

In that case just format c: and reinstall everything without losing much of your data. (Or none at all if you do a system backup beforehand, e-mails etc.)

If you have only 1 partition (like OEM computers for some unimaginable reason usually do) then your choices are limited to the ones above.

Moral of the story: Always make sure you partition your harddrive when you're doing a fresh install!

[Furzy]

Hmm Saif wery interesting.

As much as Ive wanted to buy an CPU/MB upgrade Ive dreaded the thoughts of all the formating/fdisking.

I HAve a 60GB HD patitioned into 6/16.5/16.5/17. I use the 1st drive(6MB) for my OS. So all Id need to do is:-
1> stick in the new hardware
2> restart with startup disc
3> format C: the 6GB one
4> reinstall XP

That sounds way too easy. Guess I should have just asked this in the 1st place. Will the New MB be able to detect the partitions on my HD??

Oh another thought RE XP. I dont want to go through the windows update mill. I have a SP1 disc but I have since D/L a lot of small updates. There is a \windows\Servicepackfiles Directory. But I suspect that came from installing the SP1 CD. Anyone know where the lil updates are kept and can they be transfared onto new install of XP?

Better stop thinking up new questions


Furzy