Win XP and motherboard/processor upgrade (XP SR1)

**bertj** · 2004-07-26 17:50

I'm planning on upgrading my mother board and processor. Am I likely to get away with with keeping my present Win XP setup and all my programs? Everything has been fine tuned over the years and I don't really want to do a new install. In other words if I plug my existing HD with everything on it into the new motherboard is it likely to work OK except perhaps for some minor alterations?

**viking33** · 2004-07-26 22:57

Generally speaking, I think you should be OK. XP will recognize the new hardware and will adjust itself accordingly. You MAY have to register with MS again, if the change exceeds the parameters too far as compared to the old system configuration.

**guybw** · 2004-07-27 08:32

re:Re: Win XP and motherboard/processor upgrade
It totally depends on how your computer is feeling on the day. I have changed motherboards and it has just asked to be activated but I have also changed M/B and it just keep restarting when it boots windows.
I suggest backup all files, just in case!
Guy

**viking33** · 2004-07-27 17:11

I'm afraid there is a little more to it than how your computer feels. There is a rather complex set of requirements that determine if it has to be activated again.

Backing up is ALWAYS a good suggestion for a change like that. <img src=/S/yep.gif border=0 alt=yep width=15 height=15>

**Elaine** · 2004-07-28 21:27

I thought that when you fit a new mobo you need to do at the very least a repair install. XP won`t work without doing this as you actually have a new PC. This needs to be done as Windows writes a new hal.dll when you make any big hardware changes.
Could someone please tell me if this is true or not.
Thank you

Elaine

**viking33** · 2004-07-28 23:13

Elaine,
Changing the MB does not make it a new PC.
The hal.dll should not change because of a new MB. The HAL ( Hardware Abstraction Layer ) is primarily aimed at the boot.ini and it's disk partitioning information. Since you are only changing the MB and not the primary HD partition, the HAL should still be correct.
You would have to do a repair install only if the dll is lost or corrupted.

I have replaced MBs ( reusing the HDs ) many times and did NOT have to go through any repair install.

Tech info on hal.dll can be had by looking at MSKB 237556.

**Elaine** · 2004-07-28 23:25

Thanks Viking.
I`ll have a look at that.

Elaine

Thread: Win XP and motherboard/processor upgrade (XP SR1)

Thread Tools