Motherboard Change

[risk_reversal]

I wanted to change the mobo on a relative's system but wanted to avoid the pain & hassle of a full re-install if at all possible (running Windows XP).

I have never swapped out motherboards before for this purpose but have spent much time researching this topic.

Amongst the many pages I read, the two that offered the most promise were as per below

http://www.theeldergeek.com/replace_motherboard.htm
especially the addendum at the bottom dated March 28, 2006

and this one.

http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2007/09/how-to-install-a-new-motherboard-without-reinstalling-windows.ars

The info contained in the above links basically advocate installing windows default drivers for both IDE & AGP controllers and uninstalling the VGA Card drivers. Swapping HW, then re-installing chipset driver and VGA driver

Let me give details of current system and the replacement mobo.

Current board / system

Jetway V266B rev 3.0
AMD board
Via chipset KT266A (Northridge) with VT8233A (Southbridge)
Chipset driver Via 4-1 (v4.42)
AGP
USB1.x

For clarity, all the hardware will be transplanted as is with the exception of the ram which needs to change to DDR (old board uses SDRam, but will keep the same amount of ram)

Replacement board

MSI KT3 Ultra2
AMD board
Via Chipset KT333 (Northbridge) with VT8235 (Southbridge)
AGP
USB2.0

As regards the chipset driver on the MSI board, I would be using the same Via 4-1 chipset driver ie v4.42 as this works fine (have such a board myself running the same version Via 4-1 driver).

Now I have a question which comes about as a result of stumbling on this thread (1st post, 5th paragraph) and which states

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909774/m/1400925745/p/1

If you're changing chipset (think in terms of drivers - Drivers for the VIA KT133 work fine with a KT400, but drivers for i815 won't work at all with an AMD760MPX)

So my question is as follows:

Is the new MSI mobo so close to the old mobo that I can just plug in the old HDD into the new set up and expect no issues apart perhaps from having to install the USB2.0 driver.

Any info much appreciated

Cheers

[Paul Komski]

I have migrated a number of systems running WinXP and after swapping-in have run a RepairInstallation (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) without problems.

It's like a reinstall (you will need the product key and be prepared to reactivate if allowed) but all programs and user data and settings have always been retained.

Clone the drive beforehand if it would be bad news if the repair failed. Any required drivers should be on a CD that ships with the mobo.

[risk_reversal]

Many thanks for your reply Paul Komski.

I will clone the partition(s) and try it both ways. I will post back my results in the event that they may provide any useful info.

Cheers