Does new CPU + new MoBo = HDD reformat?
Discussion
As per the title really.
I have noticed that 64 bit Athlons really are as cheap as chips now. Generally, my PC has performed flawlessly for the last 3 years since I upgraded it to Athlon 3200 (overclocked from a 2600) so I have not bothered to upgrade again. But the 64 bit chips look tempting, if nothing else so I can fiddle with the inside of the PC and bring a new one into the world.
Q. In this day and age, if I replace the CPU and motherboard and use it with my existing hard disk, will they work OK or will it throw a wobbly about this and that driver etc? Generally, I have always followed the premise that when rebuiling, its best and nicer to start with a clean install of windows and all software. Saying that though, everything runs with so much more stability than they ever used to and it would take quite some time to get the PC configured exactly as I like it with everything in the right place. That's downtime I could do without losing. So is it OK to swap out the main components and let the PC sort itself out to discover these vital parts???
I have noticed that 64 bit Athlons really are as cheap as chips now. Generally, my PC has performed flawlessly for the last 3 years since I upgraded it to Athlon 3200 (overclocked from a 2600) so I have not bothered to upgrade again. But the 64 bit chips look tempting, if nothing else so I can fiddle with the inside of the PC and bring a new one into the world.
Q. In this day and age, if I replace the CPU and motherboard and use it with my existing hard disk, will they work OK or will it throw a wobbly about this and that driver etc? Generally, I have always followed the premise that when rebuiling, its best and nicer to start with a clean install of windows and all software. Saying that though, everything runs with so much more stability than they ever used to and it would take quite some time to get the PC configured exactly as I like it with everything in the right place. That's downtime I could do without losing. So is it OK to swap out the main components and let the PC sort itself out to discover these vital parts???
Never needed to reactivate Windows. I run Professional and it is on a corporate license (or something) as provided by my employer. Really no trouble at all, especially when it has come to swapping parts out before now.
Thanks anyway guys, I am suitably encouraged to look at upgrading.
Thanks anyway guys, I am suitably encouraged to look at upgrading.
Yes and No.
If you have not moved to SATA (thin flat cable with like 4 pins in it) based drives are are still using PATA (the big ass ribbon cable) you might have to be careful about the board you buy as a few are on the market that don't have any PATA connectors.
Windows XP *should* be ok with just doing a board swap, you might need to fire it up in to safe mode the first time so it can sort out any fundemental issues with different drive controllers and such.
If you have not moved to SATA (thin flat cable with like 4 pins in it) based drives are are still using PATA (the big ass ribbon cable) you might have to be careful about the board you buy as a few are on the market that don't have any PATA connectors.
Windows XP *should* be ok with just doing a board swap, you might need to fire it up in to safe mode the first time so it can sort out any fundemental issues with different drive controllers and such.
If its a corporate licence it shouldnt be an issue as they dont require activation.
The way XP gets its key is to read unique numbers off major components and then an algorithm generates the key that you send. If the major components change then the algorithm gives a different result and hence needs reactivation.
If you've never activated then it wont be an issue.
The way XP gets its key is to read unique numbers off major components and then an algorithm generates the key that you send. If the major components change then the algorithm gives a different result and hence needs reactivation.
If you've never activated then it wont be an issue.
I have just done this, replaced athlon 800 with sempron 2800 64bit and new mb with integrated sound and graphics.
It got a bit confused but after a couple of reboots, it had all the drivers it needed and runs brilliantly. This is with Media Centre which I believe is a bit more tempremental about video cards etc.
It got a bit confused but after a couple of reboots, it had all the drivers it needed and runs brilliantly. This is with Media Centre which I believe is a bit more tempremental about video cards etc.
thepassenger said:
Yes and No.
If you have not moved to SATA (thin flat cable with like 4 pins in it) based drives are are still using PATA (the big ass ribbon cable) you might have to be careful about the board you buy as a few are on the market that don't have any PATA connectors.
Windows XP *should* be ok with just doing a board swap, you might need to fire it up in to safe mode the first time so it can sort out any fundemental issues with different drive controllers and such.
If you have not moved to SATA (thin flat cable with like 4 pins in it) based drives are are still using PATA (the big ass ribbon cable) you might have to be careful about the board you buy as a few are on the market that don't have any PATA connectors.
Windows XP *should* be ok with just doing a board swap, you might need to fire it up in to safe mode the first time so it can sort out any fundemental issues with different drive controllers and such.
Been on SATA for 18 months now - and never looked back. Love my Seagate - but may look at Samsungs in the future as I like things to be quiet as possible!
I'm going to be different and say yes, reformat. Whilst you can install everything and after a few reboots will all be dandy, there will be a lot of junk left within windows. Most enuthusiast sites recommend reinstalling on mobo and cpu, some even go so far as to say every changed component (not additional). It'll be smoother if you do reinstall.
Besides, you should aim to reinstall every 6months anyway, keeps things fresh.
Besides, you should aim to reinstall every 6months anyway, keeps things fresh.
no u dont need a fresh format, but it can be fully up and running in a morning or so, if changing that much, it is worth doing fresh format of the boot partition. tried it once and ran into loads of problems that should not have caused difficulties, ended up formatting and starting over. so why not do it at the start 
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