Bigtime Motherboard help :(

sup2jzgte

sup2jzgte

New Member
Ok, so here is the deal, right now I have a Compaq computer that I want to put a different motherboard in there with the same HD's as the Compaq had. I have a ECS K7S5A Mobo that I would like to put in. The 2 issues I have is I can't find my XP disk since I moved and I also lost my disk that came with the ECS Mobo. So I went on to ECS.com and downloaded the drives for the AGP, Audio, and LAN Drivers. Now there is a link for me to download the BIOS for the Mobo, (here is the screenshot of the ECS download)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/tidalwavetiburon/ECSBiosImageforCF.jpg

I have no clue which one to download and I dont know how to flash to BIOS, so my first question is

-Do I need to Flash the Bios if so how do I do it?
-Will doing this mess up my HD's if I want to put the Compaq board (TR100)
back in and use the same drives?



Now my other thing is, since I have no clue where my XP disk went and since I'm using the same HD from my Compaq which has XP on it can I just plug that into the board and use those files?

Now my other question is do I have to make a bootable disk with the Drivers?


I know this sounds odd, but i have no idea what to do here. I have built a few PC's, but each time I have all the software I needed and this time I dont have ANYTHING, so I'm lost.

Now see I'm concerned because all 200gig of memory on this PC I NEED and is ALMOST irreplaceable, so I dont want to loose any of it.


Anyone have any ideas?
 
Does this sound right to you guys or dis this tech just give me a bunch of BS?


Here is my Convo with an HP tech


Matthew: Hi, I have a Compaq Presario 4410US desktop and I want replace the OEM motherboard (TR100). I have purchased a ECS K7A5S motherboard to replace the TR100 and I would like to know if I can just install it and have it work, without having to reinstall windows? I will be using the same hard drive that came with my Compaq and it has the embedded XP Home installed on it.. On my case there is a Microsoft hologram with a Key and serial number on it.

Tech: I understand your concern.

Tech: I will try my best to assist you in resolving the issue.

Matthew: Ok I will be here :)

Tech: Could I have few minutes of your time for me to research on the issue?

Matthew: go for it

Tech: Please be informed that the preinstalled operating system does detect the
mother board and as the mother board you specified does not match with the
one shipped by Compaq, the drivers for most of the devices like sound
card, modem and ethernet do not work.

Tech: You have install them separately.

Tech: The recovery CD also do not work with the new motherboard.

Matthew: Well the Compaq didnt come with any recovery CD's. So will windows work? I have the drivers for the new Motherboard already

Tech: It should normally work.

Matthew: Thank YOu
 
The problem with calling HP is that you don't have an HP/Compaq system if you change the motherboard.

You can use the same drives, no problem. But you will most likely need a windows reinstall. To try and avoid it, install the inf files that came with the new board before you remove the compaq one.
 
Cromewell said:
The problem with calling HP is that you don't have an HP/Compaq system if you change the motherboard.

You can use the same drives, no problem. But you will most likely need a windows reinstall. To try and avoid it, install the inf files that came with the new board before you remove the compaq one.
Click to expand...


I just want to avoid the reformatting the drives and loosing all my data
 
Last edited:
Do a repair install if it has problems. None of your data is wiped out and anything that is installed stays (registry settings and all). I'd then backup my data and format just because that irons out many more problems that can crop up.
 
Cromewell said:
Do a repair install if it has problems. None of your data is wiped out and anything that is installed stays (registry settings and all). I'd then backup my data and format just because that irons out many more problems that can crop up.
Click to expand...

Cool I will try is tomorrow and keep everyone posted, how do you do repair install anyways?
 
Just boot up from the Windows CD and follow the instructions. Don't use the recovery console, pass that screen and accept the license agreement. Then pick your windows install from the list (if you have more than 1) and press r
 
Then I would say you are SOL if it doesn't boot up.

Try to borrow one from a friend or something.
 
Ok I tried it, but I get a message at boot up that states

" Checking Drive for boot file.....OK"

and there is a little blinking dash below and that is about it
 
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