Installing OS and software with different mobo.

**stonestatue** · 07-31-2009, 01:43 PM

I have most of the parts needed to begin construction of my system, but I am still deciding on a motherboard and power supply, both will have a factor in determining the other.

Since I have most of my parts, I would like to start installing the OS and the software. If I hook up the hard drive to a spare motherboard and install Windows XP, will it install files specific to that motherboard? I don't want to do that only to switch out motherboards when I get the permanent one and the OS gets confused because proprietary BIOS files aren't compatible.

**mirciu** · 07-31-2009, 02:24 PM

well, it should be fine if you have the exact same motherboard, if not, you will get an error message once the new motherboard is installed. i don't have a link at hand, but some say that it's possible to "repair" the install, (get the setup of the pc to work with windows) but i would recommend to do a clean install on the new setup once you have it, that way you won't have any hiccups driver wise. and once you are sure you have everything correctly installed and working perfectly just burn an image of the installed os-drivers on a dvd for backup.

**soundman98** · 07-31-2009, 05:20 PM

it was stated in another thread that you should have no problem switching boards, just install the new boards drivers before the swap, and be prepared to re-activate windows afterwards.

**DarquePervert** · 07-31-2009, 06:50 PM

I am going to be the one that recommends that you do NOT do this unless the spare motherboard and the one that will be in your system are the same chipset.
I daresay you would have a better chance of success if the chipset of the spare and the chipset of the eventual board are at least the same manufacturer (nVidia, ViA, Intel, etc.).

Granted, I'm pretty anal about such things. I don't like taking the risk of something not working correctly, especially in the car. In my mind, it's worth it to me to do an install on the specific hardware I'll be using in the final install.

**DeltaFX** · 08-01-2009, 05:05 AM

http://www.pcmech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181559

**soundman98** · 08-03-2009, 10:46 AM

good find deltafx, but just as a note, everyone be sure to read the post by panama red--this is usually the problem i have-- the new board never likes the old os install(not sure though if sysprep would fix that--havent tried it).

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I am going to be the one that recommends that you do NOT do this unless the spare motherboard and the one that will be in your system are the same chipset.
I daresay you would have a better chance of success if the chipset of the spare and the chipset of the eventual board are at least the same manufacturer (nVidia, ViA, Intel, etc.).

Granted, I'm pretty anal about such things. I don't like taking the risk of something not working correctly, especially in the car. In my mind, it's worth it to me to do an install on the specific hardware I'll be using in the final install.

this is exactly how i feel--- granted, i have never tried installing the drivers before the swap. i have always had problems switching boards, and the added heft to the os of a couple of different drivers for mulitple chipsets-when it does work, could really slow it down (i had a problem with my last install after just switching sound cards and drivers).

i really think that having muliple drivers like that only increases the chances of the os crashing later.

i ended up doing something very similar, my first install(i later reinstalled the os, and software but kept the same physical parts), i tweaked, and played with everything, and constantly got blue screens, and driver issues, but once i had what i deemed a good setup, i made some notes on the setup, backed up my music, and reinstalled everything-- so i now have a relatively flawless install(though i am still tweaking)