computer building question

Jacksmith28 · 21-06-2007, 04:44 PM

If I use my current hard drive with a new motherboard, will I need to install a new OS?

Scotracer · 21-06-2007, 04:50 PM

No...you'll just need new chipset drivers. Make sure you get the correct ones before you start the rebuild.

MidnghtDrgn · 21-06-2007, 04:52 PM

You'll also probably need to reactivate Windows, so make sure you have your Windows Product key. The OS has built in fail safes, so if it detects too large (or too many) of a hardware change, it requires you to reactivate.

Jacksmith28 · 21-06-2007, 05:31 PM

So, for all the new hardware I just basically need to install the new drivers? Sounds simple enough.

remixFA · 22-06-2007, 09:07 AM

ugh dont do that!! windows isnt smart enough to figure it out on its own. there is an option on install that you can overwrite your previous windows directory with a fresh copy and not kill everything else on ur drive. I suggest doing that unless you want an OS fraught with bugs and glitches...

oh wait.. we use windows.. haha.. nevermind.

ten BoB Dylan · 22-06-2007, 11:08 AM

remix is right if you just connect your hard disk to a new motherboard ,when you reboot 9 times out of ten windows will start booting and then blue screen or rest unless your new motherboard just happens to have the same chipset as your old one.

the best advice is to make your mind up if you wanna keep the stuff on the drive or not.
if you wanna keep the stuff boot off your windows disk then select the option to make no changes at the format menu and this will just delete the windows folder only .

if you wanna keep the stuff select to format the drive but which ever option you take it will be like installing windows from fresh so will will need your product key and if you windows is a proper copy you will need reactivate it which usually means contacting micro soft o and you will need to reinstall any programs you are running once windows has installed ok.

Jacksmith28 · 22-06-2007, 06:47 PM

Ok, so I want to keep my stuff. What should I do, step by step, I'm a noob at computer hardware.

Oh, and new question. If I use an upgraded graphics card in the new motherboard, will I be able to upgrade to a better one in the future?

Jacksmith28 · 22-06-2007, 07:12 PM

Actually, If I want to keep my stuff I'd want to boot down window right? how?

remixFA · 22-06-2007, 11:56 PM

dude, easiest way to keep things, is have a partitioned drive, or have 2 drives. any programs ur gonna have to reinstall anyways, but any files u want saved(pics,downloads,mp3,updates,ect), move to another drive in a folder u make.. say (old shyte). Once that is done and ur sure u got everything, switch over ur hardware to the new stuff, put in the windows cd, and let it erase the drive and put in a new windows copy. Reinstall any software u need to, and go enjoy urself... if u want to install a new vid card down the line its as simple as uninstalling the drivers, switchin out the cards, and then installing new drivers.. takes like 5 minutes total... if ur slow.

ten BoB Dylan · 23-06-2007, 01:41 AM

moving data files to a another drive is easy as long as you have a running version of windows so if you are gonna move your data 2 another drive you need to put your old mother board back and then connect the drives up ,boot windows and then move the data across.

Jacksmith28 · 23-06-2007, 03:05 PM

So, step one: Move stuff to new drive. Step 2: wipe the old drive to the bone. Step 3: Add new hardware. Step 4: reinstall windows. Step 5: move files back to the proper drive. Is that right? Ok, one problem, I don't have an XP cd. XP came with my computer.

remixFA · 23-06-2007, 10:00 PM

do you have the windows key that came with your computer? if its prebuilt, its probabaly on the case somewhere (check the back). You may want to contact windows about getting a replacement CD then. You need a FULL INSTALL cd, not an UPGRADE cd. There is a difference, and it should be obvious!

If not, find a friend w/ experience.. umm.. working around windows.. and have them help you "buy" a copy.... ya know what i mean?!

ten BoB Dylan · 24-06-2007, 03:50 AM

you didn't here this from me but check out some of the torrent sites i am sure you can get a windows from one of them.
download utorrent install it on your pc then in goggle or what ever do a search for torrent sites

Jacksmith28 · 24-06-2007, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten BoB Dylan

you didn't here this from me but check out some of the torrent sites i am sure you can get a windows from one of them.
download utorrent install it on your pc then in goggle or what ever do a search for torrent sites

I was hoping that would not be my only option, but it's not really stealing if I already bought the software, right? Well, anyway mabye I can get some replacement CD's like Remix said. I do have the product key, this copy is not stolen.

Oh and also that last post was correct right? When I wipe the drive, how should I do it so that everything is gone. Any free software? Or an electromagnet?

remixFA · 24-06-2007, 10:28 AM

widows will "FORMAT" the drive for you. Thats why u make sure everything is off that u want off. Just tell it to FORMAT the drive ur installing windows on. That way everything will be fresh and clean for ur new OS. Nice and easy. Its really not a hard process, it just seems like it. Its almost completely automated once u get to installing things.

ten BoB Dylan · 24-06-2007, 10:56 AM

as remix says once you take the format option all the stuff on there will be gone.

just a side note if you do download a windows from a torrent site don't use your key because even though you have bought the software it is still technically ripping of microsoft's ip.

so if you have to download one use the key that came with it and if ask to register it say no although most versions of windows you can download have been fixed as not to need registering .

as for contacting microsoft ,even though you have got the product key mirosoft will charge you full wak for a repalcement .

they will only send you a replacement disk if you send them the faulty one because you could have got the product key from anywhere and be using it to get a free copy of windows.

Jacksmith28 · 24-06-2007, 12:15 PM

Damn, I guess we know what my only option is. So, I format the drive and then from there put in the new hardware, if I understand right.

remixFA · 24-06-2007, 04:57 PM

move ur junk to another drive
change over ur hardware
install windows and let it wipe the drive its on
reinstall any programs u need.
yay, new system!

Jacksmith28 · 04-07-2007, 11:56 AM

Sounds great, thanks everybody.