Mainboard replacement in Windows 2000 Pro.

[happygilmore]

I have a VIA based motherboard that I need to replace with an Intel chipset motherboard. All I have seen and read is that inorder to do this you HAVE to reinstall Windows 2000. From what I have seen when you replace a mainboard in Win2000 you get an IMPASSABLE BSOD!. THERE HAS to be a way around this. Doe ANYONE know how to replace a via board with an intel board without reinstalling?

 

[butchrecon]

I had a similar problem. I went from an Intel 810 board to a Via Appolo Pro. I eventually reinstalled. Any one know around this? James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[maddogtech]

If you boot in Safe Mode and remove info pertaining to the MotherBoard from Device Manager, install new Hardware, boot in Safe again and do HW detection you may just get away with it. Best of luck! -md

 

[butchrecon]

Sorry maddog that does not work (at least with me). I tried that. You I get a blue screen right after choosing safe mode. That works great in Win9x. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[happygilmore]

I am getting desparate. Some one HHHEEELLLPP!!!!!

 

[ntnet]

I have done this on some computers...
worked 3 times out of 5...
The chipsets were eighter VIA,INTEL or ALI.

Here is the method I used:
Once the board is changed, power on the computer, enter the BIOS and make sure your boot sequence starts with CDROM.
Boot from the W2K cd and when prompted, choose repair installation.
Let windows work for a while (be patient!).
After the process you should be able to reboot as if
nothing had changed.

* if you your new board is ATA100 capable, you have to install the ATA100 drivers before you enable this feature. If you do a quick search on the MS.Technet, you will find some articles about W2K with ATA100.

** One last thing, I would suggest you have a ghost of your drive before you do this because the changes W2K will perform in the repair process will most probably render your disk unbootable on the original board as well (changing drivers).

Let me know if this helps,
Good luck !
S. Gagner
MIS
A+ MCP

 

[butchrecon]

Geeze that may work. Here I tell people all the time that if all else fails to do a repair. And I could not think to do it my self. :-(

Should work. Give it a try happyg. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[happygilmore]

Sorry guys that did not work for me. I did not even see an option to do a repair! Can some one help me. I dont want to reinstall!!!

 

[happygilmore]

Well I broke down and reinstalled. Thanks for your assistance though.

 

[Guest_imported]

Hi Happygilmore

The only way I have found to do this is to plug in a Promise IDE PCI controller (no drives attached to it at this point) into the old motherboard. This assumes you're using an IDE drive... Let W2K find it and then install the drivers. Reboot with hard drive attached to the Promise controller, to ensure it works ok. Don't forget to remove drive from motherboard BIOS. If ok, transfer hardware, peripherals, etc., to new motherboard. Plug in Promise IDE PCI, and attach your IDE drive to it. Hopefully W2K will boot up, and may ask you again for the Promise drivers. Reboot to ensure all hardware found, then close down, remove Promise controller, attach IDE to on-board controller, and Hey Presto! you'll be cookin' with the new motherboard.

Good luck.
ROGER.