Korean Job Discussion Forums

travelnguy · Joined: 27 Sep 2007

If I change my motherboard, will have have to reinstall Windows? Also, how difficult is it to change?

I am currently running Windows XP but I would like to install Windows Vista. Any recommendations for a good motherboard. I just use the system to download and surf the internet.

Cheers.

asparker · Joined: 13 Apr 2005

What reason do you have for wanting to change your motherboard? Unless you're planning to upgrade something else too, or something on your current motherboard is fried, I wouldn't expect you to see much of a performance boost or anything.

The motherboard contains lots of parts that all communicate with your software using lots of different drivers. It could be that a motherboard swap would leave your existing Windows installation running just fine but I would recommend a reinstall anyway, just to be on the safe side. If you wanted to install Vista anyway, I'd think that a great time to do it would be when you are upgrading other parts of your system as well.

As for recomendations, a lot would depend on the other hardware already in your system. Do you need an Intel compatible board or an AMD one? What type RAM do you have, what about your processor, FSB? Do you have a separate video card or do you want your new motherboard to have one built in? All these questions will make a difference. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just take your computer to the shop and have the guy there install something cheap. If you do know what I'm talking about, check out some guides at Tom's Hardware and look at some of the prices and customer reviews at Newegg.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/s/motherboard/
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=20&name=Motherboards

Hope I helped!

travelnguy · Joined: 27 Sep 2007

my current motherboard has an on board video card. I am no longer getting a picture on my monitor. I have hooked my laptop up to the monitor and it works fine. I turn on the computer and it seems to but up with no problems, but I can't see anything.

I could take it to a shop, but i was already considering upgrading the computer. I just wanted to do it myself. I will probably buy a new processor and RAM. I will keep my existing drives.

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

Have you checked if your motherboard also has a PCIe slot? if it does you can save money by just sticking a cheap video card in rather than a new motherboard. Anyway, I just replaced my MB with another brand with a different MB chip set and didn't have to reinstall Window. Just run the driver CD. You may want to look over the Device Manager before using the driver CD to get rid of any old drivers, though most will just be replaced when you run the new MB driver CD.

travelnguy · Joined: 27 Sep 2007

did you have to change the Bios or anything or did the system just start reading from the new video card?

That would be a much cheaper solution.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

You don't need to change any settings on the motherboard to install a new GPU. Just download the correct drivers for your card from the manufacturers (ATI or Nvidia) website.

As said before, be sure to check if your motherboard accepts PCI-e graphics cards or just the older AGP graphics cards. Motherboards only accept one or the other.

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

travelnguy · Joined: 27 Sep 2007

thanks everyone. I'll order a card tonight after I look up the motherboard and what Graphic Cards it will accept.

Thanks again.

asparker · Joined: 13 Apr 2005

If you don't play any of the newest system intensive games you should be able to get a HD video capable video card for under 50,000 no problem. Good luck!