Changing motherboards? Problem?

[ghostmann]

Guys, need your help again.

I want to change my motherboard from D975XBX to IX38 QuadGT. Will I have to reformat my drives? I want support for the up and coming intel processor and want to run my HD3870 in crossfire 2.0. I will using my current E6600 along with my 2 raptor harddrives and crucial ballistx ddr2 800. Are they an other problems I may run into.

thanks

 

[cfvh600]

You can probably do a Windows repair on your hard drive with your OS on it using the installation disc.Would be a good idea to back up your current configuration before doing anything else.If it was me,I'd re-install windows.Good luck.

 

[bobbknight]

A clean install is the best way to go.
That said, if you uninstall all the drivers that you can before you swap out the boards you will have a better rate of success.
If your Raptors are in a raid configuration currently, that my pose some difficulties for a swap
Also the age of the current OS install will also pose challenges, the older it is the more trouble that will pop up post swap.
I once did a swap of an nVidia chipset board for a newer one that seemed to work ok at first. But over time it started to become unstable and a full drive wipe and install was needed to fix it.
But I install and remove software on a constant basis. I run reg cleaners and all types of OS maintenance software but even that will not stop the gradual decline of an MS OS over time.
I would go with a clean install personally.

 

[cfvh600]

I agree with the clean install. That way your OS will be fresh and fast.

 

[runswindows95]

I also say go with a clean install. That's what I will be doing this weekend when I replace my mobo.

 

[croc]

I say do a really good backup of any data that's important, then pray for rain.... Depends on your drive controllers how sucessful you will be. Two out of three upgrades, I was good. The third, I was glad I had the back-ups.

You'll also have to call M$ to get a new activation key. And that's not a 'maybe'. Hope you aren't using an OEM version...

 

[Groveling_Wyrm]

Another vote for clean install. It just isn't worth the potential headaches of dealing with corrupted data, due to driver installation and leftovers from the previous drivers.

 

[yay]

I swapped out out mobo's with almost identical chipsets before. Even that didnt end well, nothing was detected as what it was for some reason.. Anyway another vote for clean install.