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View Full Version : Upgrading to nForce 2

HurgleBurgle
12-10-02, 01:20 AM
I recently purchased an Abit nf7-s mobo to slap into my current rig:

Abit kx7-333
Athlon XP 2100+
512mb pc2700
GF4 Ti4600
Windows XP Pro SP1

And before anyone tries to tell me that this upgrade won't make a difference, here's my rationale... It will save me two pci slots (sound card and lan card). It's relatively future-proof (400 fsb). Finally, it'll let me run my two sticks of ram in dual channel. Anyhow...

What are the issues involved in changing motherboard chipsets completely? Is it possible to upgrade without a complete reinstall of windows? If it's not possible, what would be the best way of backing up all my applications and data to make the switch as painless as possible? I've been through a few reinstalls and it usually takes me a few weeks to remember everything that I had installed and get it reinstalled again...
StealthHawk
12-10-02, 04:59 AM
you don't have to reinstall anything.

only time you would ever have to do that is if you decided to go to RAID
Andy D
12-10-02, 05:32 AM
Backup and format, and a clean install of XP+SP1 is the best bet for a trouble-free build. You don't have to, but personally I would.
stncttr908
12-10-02, 07:01 AM
Yeah...new mobo is a big change and sometimes windows doesn't appreciate it very much. I'd reformat.
HurgleBurgle
12-10-02, 12:21 PM
Ok. I guess I'll back everything important up before making an ATTEMPT at upgrading without reinstall. Worse thing that could happen is it doesn't work and I have to format and reinstall...
HurgleBurgle
12-12-02, 05:01 PM
Just got the nf7-s today and well... it has no holes around the cpu socket!!@@#!! My water block is held on with a mounting system that attaches to the holes on the mobo. Now I have to order a different mounting system that uses the tabs and wait for that to come. Nice new board to play with, but I can't yet. :\
Mike89
12-17-02, 10:21 PM
No need to clean install the OS.

Boot from the CD with the Windows XP disk in. Once in the Windows setup, choose to repair. It will wipe the Device Manager clean and set up with new MB. You won't lose any data. You will have to re-install Service Pack 1 though.