New MOBO, old HD

First the statistics: ABIT KT-7 MOBO, 1 GHz AMD Athlon Thunderbird, etc.

Now the question: I'm going to replace the MOBO, CPU and memory with an Intel MOBO, a Pentium 4 and some DDR RAM but I'm going to keep the same hard disk. What must I do to make sure the new MOBO and CPU with get along well with the old HD? The reason I'm keeping the HD is because I can't afford to replace it right now. Must I fdisk and reformat? I can easily do that but I hate to have to back up all the data I have on the HD. Thanks, Buzz

 

Hi buzzard.

Well, it's a **** shoot but the percentages are on your side.

About 1 of 20 that I upgrade that way turns sour. Windows has to readjust itself to the new chipset, etc. Be sure and have your installation cd ready. Windows usually asks for it.

I usually unplug everything that isn't needed just for the heck of it. Windows has to readjust to the new PCI slots and how thay are wired on the new mobo so it gives it less to do when adjusting to the new mobo. Put them back one at a time after the system smooths out and boot up.

If it doesn't take, you can reload Windows and it should retain all your programs, data, and shortcuts. I have had about 1 case in 50 that was a complete disaster. I usually copy the hard drive to another hard drive for backup but the only thing its good for is saving the data. If the original don't work, the backup won't work.

Back up all the data you can and have at it. When it comes down to it, there isn't much other choice if you want to upgrade. I got one coming up tomorrow, P4 2.0 from a Celeron in the 500's, DDR and Albatron mobo. Good luck to both of us.

 

giles, thanks

Yes, good luck to both of us. I just built a P4 system from scratch and its running like a swiss watch, but now I'd like to upgrade my old Athlon system. I should replace the 30Gb HD too but dag nab it, I'm short of money now for a while, so I'll do what I can.

Thanks for encouragement. I may just back the thing up, fdisk and be done with it. I can't stand to lose any more hair.

I think the new Intel P4 boards are slick----no problem, no strain, no pain.

Thank you again, Buzz

 

Mobo Update

To change out a Mobo and have minimum problems do the following:
Open the Hardware Profile tab of the System Control Panel.
Create a new profile by copying the existing. Give it any name you want.
I ususally rename the "Original Configuration" profile but you don't have to.
Shutdown and change out Mobo.
When system comes back up you will get a Profile selection screen. Select the one about "New" profile. This will cause a totally new profile to be built.
Once you get back where you can get to the "System Control Panel" you can delete both the old profiles.

I always have all the drivers and the Windows CAB files loaded on the hard drive before I start this, makes it go a lot faster.

I've done 40-50 computers this way and have never had a problem.

 

DblD22

Welcome to the fray. We can always use experience with the hardware stuff.

Is your MOBO replacement technique dependant on OS?

 

Hi.

Yep, I've used that technique quite a bit myself. Saved hundreds of hours of trouble and re-installation. I haven't been able to get it to work in XP as yet. Doesn't seem to want to give "new profile" as an option on startup, just lists the current ones. What do you do in XP to enable "New Profile" question on startup. Best way I've found so far in XP is boot from floppy and reinstall OS.

 

Thanks, fellers

I've been gone for a few days----just got back. Thanks for all the replies to my post. I haven't yet decided what to do with this computer. I'll have to buy a new P4-ready PS so I might as well save up a few more bucks and replace the HD with a larger one while I'm at it. The computer works fine right now, so upgrading it isn't really necessary-----I don't even need it. A 1 GHz Athlon lives inside it, along with a 30 Gb HD and 256 Mb RAM so its not that bad the way it sits. I enjoy building computers though so I'll likely put a new board and CPU in it soon just to keep busy when its too cold to go outside....its a money thing right now. Social Security doesn't go far these days, but I'm about ready to do something. Thanks again. I wonder how much this system is worth, just the way it sits?

The box has Win98SE installed right now so the method described by DblD22 should work if I don't replace the drive. I may then upgrade to XP Pro. Thanks again. If I hit a snag, I'll holler.

Buzz