[SOLVED] Swapping out motherboard with a spare

[hri124]

Hi,

Can anyone let me know if swapping out motherboards is same as swapping out a monitor or a power supply?

Considering that the motherboard I'm swapping out is of the same make and manufacturer.

 

[R_1]

similar but far more involved. a monitor is a cinch, two cables done. the PSU is easy too open case, 4 screws, unplug, replug, the same 4 screws close up and go.

a motherboard is connected to EVERYTHING. you need to remove the cooler and the CPU, disconnect all the drives and cables, and cards, remove the RAM, remove the mounting screws, lift out the board. install RAM and CPU and cooler onto new board, seat board, insert the screws, reconnect all the drives and cables, and cards.

similar but more.
a word on grounding
Assembly grounding:
plug in the power supply to the wall. you can touch an unpainted part of the PSU (insert an unpainted unfinished screw into the PSU mounting holes and touch the screw as a grounding point) once you have grounded yourself you can now touch and assemble the parts of the PC.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, reground yourself again.
install the CPU into the motherboard and the RAM into the slots.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, reground yourself again.
install the cooler to the CPU. install the motherboard into the case.
secure the motherboard down with the screws, make sure you remove any unwanted/needed mounts before securing the motherboard.
unplug the PSU and ground yourself again. install the PSU into the case and secure with the 4 mounting screws.
plug in the power cord and ground yourself again from now on after grounding, unplug the power supply cord from the wall.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, plug in the cord, reground yourself and unplug again.
connect the power supply to the motherboard by the 24 pin and the AUX CPU power connector, install the GPU if one is selected, and install the drives with the supplied mounts in the case. connect the front panel connections to the case according to the manuals.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, plug in the cord, reground yourself and unplug again.
if there are any other peripherals, like wifi cards or sound card install and secure now. verify all power cables are connected to the motherboard and the GPU if needed.
the system can now be booted and the BIOS adjusted if needed (refer to motherboard manual) then an OS installed. when you are sure the system will need no more working/tinkering you can install the side panel and close the case. you have now assembled a PC.
end canned rant

this was written for assembly but its applicable to a mobo swap too.

 

[hri124]

similar but far more involved. a monitor is a cinch, two cables done. the PSU is easy too open case, 4 screws, unplug, replug, the same 4 screws close up and go.

a motherboard is connected to EVERYTHING. you need to remove the cooler and the CPU, disconnect all the drives and cables, and cards, remove the RAM, remove the mounting screws, lift out the board. install RAM and CPU and cooler onto new board, seat board, insert the screws, reconnect all the drives and cables, and cards.

similar but more.
a word on grounding
Assembly grounding:
plug in the power supply to the wall. you can touch an unpainted part of the PSU (insert an unpainted unfinished screw into the PSU mounting holes and touch the screw as a grounding point) once you have grounded yourself you can now touch and assemble the parts of the PC.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, reground yourself again.
install the CPU into the motherboard and the RAM into the slots.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, reground yourself again.
install the cooler to the CPU. install the motherboard into the case.
secure the motherboard down with the screws, make sure you remove any unwanted/needed mounts before securing the motherboard.
unplug the PSU and ground yourself again. install the PSU into the case and secure with the 4 mounting screws.
plug in the power cord and ground yourself again from now on after grounding, unplug the power supply cord from the wall.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, plug in the cord, reground yourself and unplug again.
connect the power supply to the motherboard by the 24 pin and the AUX CPU power connector, install the GPU if one is selected, and install the drives with the supplied mounts in the case. connect the front panel connections to the case according to the manuals.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, plug in the cord, reground yourself and unplug again.
if there are any other peripherals, like wifi cards or sound card install and secure now. verify all power cables are connected to the motherboard and the GPU if needed.
the system can now be booted and the BIOS adjusted if needed (refer to motherboard manual) then an OS installed. when you are sure the system will need no more working/tinkering you can install the side panel and close the case. you have now assembled a PC.
end canned rant

this was written for assembly but its applicable to a mobo swap too.

Thanks for that comprehensive answer.

But I'm more concerned regarding the software end.. Will I have to install the Windows again or have the BIOS updated or any more issues like that?

 

[R_1]

gotcha.
if the motherboard is different model, yes to windows and driver re-installation. the motherboard is not one device but a whole pile of them, each with different drivers and settings. unless the new board is the same make and revision, you are likely to run into problems with the software.
as far as the BIOS is concerned you may need to reset a few settings, CPU settings, RAM voltages and speeds, boot order etc.

 

[hri124]

gotcha.
if the motherboard is different model, yes to windows and driver re-installation. the motherboard is not one device but a whole pile of them, each with different drivers and settings. unless the new board is the same make and revision, you are likely to run into problems with the software.
as far as the BIOS is concerned you may need to reset a few settings, CPU settings, RAM voltages and speeds, boot order etc.

Thanks a lot! Exactly what I wanted to confirm!