Moving to new motherboard

Hi all,

I'm going to replace my MoBo, CPU, Memory and Graphics card soon. I've found there's two different ways to do this: 1) The MS way with a working MoBo [Insert XP disk, let autorun start, click Install, click upgrade, follow instructions until computer starts to reboot, turn off computer, move HDD to new MoBo, turn on and allow upgrade to finish]; and 2) Plug in HDD to new MoBo, boot to XP CD, when I get to setup Windows XP now, press ENTER, after XP finds the current installation (C:\) highlight it and press "R" to start the repair, don't press the "any" key, and let Windows continue to install.

Both options say "applications and settings will remain intact ".

However, in both ways (michaelstevenstech.com) I'm warned ". . . there might be a loss of data, program settings and registry tweaks, manually delete the Undo_guimode.txt file, and run the Files And Settings Transfer wizard, backup copies of the registry files are also replaced after the in-place upgrade is complete, so copy to another location before you perform an in-place upgrade/Repair Install as you may need to use them after the in-place upgrade is complete." And on the MS site it says "Important: Reinstalling the Windows operating system or performing an in-place upgrade of your operating system is an extreme troubleshooting step that you should only take if you fully understand the ramifications and risks involved. "

OK, I'm good up to the "Insert the XP CD" part; but from then on I'm kinda sitting here scratching my head.

The main things I'm concerned about are the registry and my settings. I've been tweaking them for 7 years now and I don't remember everything I've done, but there's no bloat or leftover bits from uninstalls because I've always done\tried everything on my "breakme" drive first before I've done them on my main drive. So, saving my tweaks and settings is very important to me.

Here's what I've done so far: Cloned my main drive (for testing proposes), did a F.A.S.T. (copied both files and settings) to a thumb drive, and wrote to you all.

Which way is going to be the least brain-damaging and won't mung my Settings & Registry? I really do need 1-2-3 guide, please.

 

Hi Steve,

In the link you posted, that's where I got the info I posted.

As far as a fresh install, my drive is almost pristine. Like I said, I've done all the test\install\destructive stuff on the "breakme" drive first before doing it to the main drive.

I've run CCleaner and it's always said "No problems detected "; and ditto with JV16 Power Tools.

I've got the mechanics down, I just don't know about whether my settings and registry tweaks are gonna get munged.

 

That's what I'm hoping for: Plugin the old drive, wave my Magic Twanger ", and voilà(!), I'm back to playing solitaire.

As far as the "in theory" part goes, that's why I was hoping someone with real-world experience who's done this before could tell me about my concerns. I know the theory, I just don't feature sitting here after the transfer and going "Oh, crud, now what? "

Like I said, I did the F.A.S.T., but I don't know if or when I should use.

 

Did you read the experience o ikraut at this link?
http://www.windowsbbs.com/hardware/64906-moving-working-xp-disk-different-motherboard.html

 

Hi charlibob,

Thanks for the link, but it doesn't apply to me. So far I've had to re-clone the drive twice trying two different ways and neither has worked.