PC Gutting Time!!

[BossaNova]

Hey Everyone within the next week or two, I will be gutting out my system .. Parts being removed and replaced will be..

1.Motherboard
2.CPU
3.PowerSupply
4.RAM
5.Videocard

Now having that said.. Does anyone have any tips on how I may be able to "pre"-pare for this drastic system overhaul..? for example tips to help make sure my Hard Drive with my current OS and "Stuff" on it will make this change smoothly ? The last thing I want is to have a situation after getting this all set-up involving my HD not booting up..

Secondly I will be constructing another System out of the Swapped out parts with a fresh HD & RAM? any tips there are also greatly appreciated..

 

[franklin97355]

Good luck with getting the system to boot with the old hard drive if you're running 2000 or xp. I'd build a completely new system and leave the old one the way it is. If you must upgrade back up all your data files, make sure you have drivers for any equipment you plan to reuse and install disks for any software you plan to keep.

The answer is "42"

 

[vacunita]

Your changing way too much hardware for Windows to not complain about it.

Best case scenario Windows boots nothing works, you'll spend countless hours trying to repair drivers and installing ne hardware and you'll have to reactivate Windows due to the hardware change.

Worst case scenario, it won't boot, and you have to reinstall everything.
And you still have to reactivate due to hardware changes

I agree with Franklin, and suggest you backup what's important and clean install once everything is set up.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Aussie2]

You can uninstal all your drivers back to generic windows
drivers,swap motherboards and reboot in safe mode then reinstal new drivers this has worked for me even with different chipsets but it is simply not worth it when windows detects hardware changes(ie new drivers)it then prompts you to reactivate.
With all those new parts I think your best option would be to do a clean instal

 

[BossaNova]

Allrighty... Thats what I was looking for.. I figured I'd have issues of that nature thas why I posted a Thread about it.. Thought somebody might have a "sweet" program solution or something..

My Solution: I'll just back-up everything thats important, double check that I have install disks for everything. Then I'll just boot to CD "Windows XP disk" run a standard re-format/new partition then reload windows.. then just reload everything... not a problem just more work then I was hoping to have.. although I had a feeling this was my only answer..

Hey Thanks for all the great feedback!

 

[wolluf]

Moving hard drive to new setup (which is what you're doing) can be achieved 99% of the time by running a repair reinstall with the drive in the new setup:-

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Sometimes XP will sort itself out without need for this (ie, put drive in new set up - see if it boots. If not, run the repair reinstall - method 2 - you won't be able to use method 1). In my experience, its not worth trying stuff like uninstalling drivers etc, just more time for no benefit.

However - if your XP is OEM version you may have problems reactivating it (as licence goes with original machine, and changes you're making would indicate to activation that its a new machine). If you do have problems and have to phone them, you may be able to persuade the MS operative that it is effectively the same machine - you're just upgrading/repairing it.

 

[BadBigBen]

Also see this MS Article:

How to replace the motherboard on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824125

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[wahnula]

I agree with the consensus that you should do a clean install. This utility:

http://www.laplink.com/pcmover/

has great reviews and it seems affordable. Best of luck.

Tony

 

[BossaNova]

Thank You very much BadBigBen that article is awesome if that works that will be great! Thats exactly the type of post I was hoping to get.. Thank You!

 

[paparazi]

BossaNova
I would agree with the above and go one further because of your comments:

"Secondly I will be constructing another System out of the Swapped out parts with a fresh HD & RAM"

Fresh HDD indeed!!! Note* you are changing the motherboard/CPU and ram because they are older/slower technology? this also applies to the Hard Drive!
The NEW SATAII HDD? will be faster/quieter etc etc so it just wouldn't make sense to reinstall the one you have at present when a newer SATAII drive will offer better performance with your replacement parts.
Martin

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[BossaNova]

The PC that will be built from the left over parts is not going to be mine it will belong to somebody else.. the new hard drive also belongs to somebody else.. I've found that knowing how to properly build computers can sometimes be a curse.. I've built 3 computers of my own.. and built 2 pc's for other folks.. this will be my 6th.. and yes it will have some of my older parts in it.. but thats a long story.. I'd be here typing all evening trying to tell it.. but we'll just say I've had to upgrade certain parts on my system so that I will be able to use other parts that I have laying around (ie. video adapter,etc.).. in turn freeing up other parts to swap around to build a pretty nice stable computer for my mother-in law.. lol that was a mouth full..