Do I have to Reformat with New MOBO and CPU?

b182tm

b182tm

New Member
Do I have to reformat my harddrive with a new motherboard and CPU? How do I go about doing this? Also, how can I save the info from my HDD, if I do have to reformat?

Thanks,
D
 
Yep, you have to reformat. To format, just put the windows installation disk in the drive when the computer is starting up.

It should boot from the CD, (Make sure you set the optical to boot first in the BIOS) then just delete the windows installation. The format using NTFS (If your using XP)

After its done formatting, Windows will install itself. Quite simple really, but takes time.

And to save the info, well im not sure. What I did was just put anything important on a DVD, then put it all back on again after. Im sure theres a different way to do it.
 
no reformatting can be done with all the same hardware and such. basically it just destroys all the files and the file system and starts your comp off anew.
yea, as helmie said but it on dvd or even an external HDD or something of the sort.
 
You don't have to reformat with a new cpu/mobo. I didn't have too. I have neevr had to and I have swiched my mobo/cpu over 15 times. Foru timesI had to reinstall window's but thats it, and thats prabaally because I forgot to uninstall the old mobo drivers :(

Ussaly when you switch out your mobo/cpu all you have to do is reactive window's, beucase it thingks its on a new computer becuase of the hardware change so you just click activation by phone, tell them you upgraded and they gie you a new number.
 
So if I get a new mobo, all my files will be lost? Damn it. Well, all I would lose is about 1500 songs...Oh well. And because my comp. doesnt work, I wouldnt be able to put it on a DVD. Excuse me while I go scream in a pillow and punch a hole through a wall....:D

Crap happens,
D

Edit: Sorry, didnt see your post Xycron. Since I can't get into my comp., I guess I can't uninstall old mobo drivers...Will it still work?
 
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Usually all you have to do is do a repair/upgrade installation which means you won't lose your files but its always best to backup anthing you want saved and you will have to call microsoft after installing to reactivate windows because of different motherboard.
 
Not necessarily, you can try to do without. At worst it doesn't boot and you format but try starting up in safe mode and removing drivers and such that way first.
 
If anything, reinstall the OS and choose the repair option, or install the OS within the current OS. Once done you should be able to get everything off you need off, and since none of your installed programs will work anymore you can reinstall the OS once and for all. Kinda time consuming, but if you can't hook your drive up to someone elses as a slave, then you might try this.
 
b182tm said:
So if I get a new mobo, all my files will be lost? Damn it. Well, all I would lose is about 1500 songs...Oh well. And because my comp. doesnt work, I wouldnt be able to put it on a DVD. Excuse me while I go scream in a pillow and punch a hole through a wall....:D

Crap happens,
D

Edit: Sorry, didnt see your post Xycron. Since I can't get into my comp., I guess I can't uninstall old mobo drivers...Will it still work?
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you DEFINATLY wont have to reforamt, wrose comes to worst you will have to reinstall windows, but no formating will be nessisary.
 
ask ur fd to lend you his hdd from his computer, put it into ur computer as secondary hdd. put ur stuff into that hdd, unconnect it, den reformat your computer. after all connect the hdd back and put cut ur stuff back to your hdd....
 
just remember if your using a oem copy of windows you will have to buy a new copy if you change your mobo i know this is a shady area and some think thats not true but i have just done what you are going to do and i had no choice but to buy another copy its a diffrent story if you are using a full retail version
 
You shouldn't have to buy another copy of XP. All you have to do is call microsoft and tell them you switched motherboards cause of it going bad or whatever and they will give you another ID number to reactivate that OEM version.
 
johnb35 said:
You shouldn't have to buy another copy of XP. All you have to do is call microsoft and tell them you switched motherboards cause of it going bad or whatever and they will give you another ID number to reactivate that OEM version.
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Hes right, thats what i do when i have to install windows again.
 
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