Motherboard Upgrade?.How?

[maureen]

Hi just a quick question from a newbie.
Ive just bought an Msi Kt4 Ultra motherboard to upgrade from my old one.And im not sure what will happen if i swap the two motherboard and try to boot up of the hardrive.Im assuming that because my os is already installed it will boot up as normal.Or will i have to change something in the bios or will i have to install the drivers for the new board?.Do i have to install everything(graphics and ethernet card straight away or wait to install the board first?.A step by step would be great but all i can find is stuff on how to do it from scratch.Please help i dont want to start ripping apart before im sure.
Thanks in advance.

[nfl2k2]

you will need to format and reinstall your OS. Then add service packs, drivers, directx 8.1, software, etc.

[zodiac]

a clean install is the best thing to do.
you'll have to get into the bios to change a few things,like the cpu speed, disable onboard soud ect..
it wont boot up as normal,windows will find new hardware(your motherboard)and install drivers for the board.
this doesn't always work,there could be a driver conflict.
you'll have less problems if you format.

[maureen]

Zodiac,
sorry to be a pain but why do i need to change the cpu speed and disable the onboard sound?.The Cpu is not being changed just the m/board and as far as the onboard sound then a need to use it anyway.R U really sure i need to re-install everything from scratch?

[zodiac]

you need to change the "cpu fsb clock" it will be defaut at 100mhz which it has to be at 133mhz or your cpu speed wont run at 1.8ghz and change the "sdram frequency" to spd.
if you use onboard sound then dont diable it

[ChrisX]

Hi Maureen -

Do you think getting a computer technician would be better for you to upgrade to your new motherboard? I know you have to pay for the service and you may not be able to afford having the PC specialist service.

Having a PC specialist, do you think this is a better way of getting this upgrade done without you worrying about on how and the time?

I recently upgraded my computer with a new P4 mainboard and this includes a new processor and a new bigger hard drive.

This was done with a help of my friendly computer technician. He saved me the worry and the time to get the upgrade done successfully.

YES - you will need to re-format the hard drive and re-install the OS and everything. This is because the motherboard is different with a CPU. Are you sure the CPU is the same one with the new motherboard?

A CPU is in the motherboard and not all CPU's are compatible in the motherboard. They must be made for each other, such as for example a motherboard Intel chipset 845 is designed for a Pentium 4 processor in the computer.

You can't use a Pentium 3 processor in this same MSI motherboard. The hard drive would have to adapt to the new motherboard with the CPU speed, and because it is different, you need to start all over again from scratch. This is the only way.