Motherboard Upgrade Questions...

SmokeyDP · 11-08-2005, 09:42 AM

Right now I have this motherboard:
ABIT KV8 Pro Socket 754 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

I want to upgrade to this one so I can have the same Socket 754 and now have PCI-E for a new video card:
ASUS K8N4-E DELUXE Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX

Can I do this without having to reformat my computer? My main concern is that I am booting off the onboard SATA on the ABIT card....

I am a pretty experienced system builder and computer repair dude, but I have not tried to do something such as this and want to hear other experiences. I know that in the past it can be a PIA to get a new motherboard to work with a different chipset without any reformatting.

zero2dash · 11-08-2005, 09:51 AM

I wouldn't think there would be any problems, but then again I don't have any experience with swapping out mobos but keeping the same HD/OS. I would think that you'd just plug the new one in and your OS will automatically do all the configuring, but then again, like I said...I've never done this before myself.

SmokeyDP · 11-08-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero2dash

I wouldn't think there would be any problems, but then again I don't have any experience with swapping out mobos but keeping the same HD/OS. I would think that you'd just plug the new one in and your OS will automatically do all the configuring, but then again, like I said...I've never done this before myself.

Well the OS would need to have the SATA drivers loaded when it first boots up. That is my main concern.

zero2dash · 11-08-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyDP

Well the OS would need to have the SATA drivers loaded when it first boots up. That is my main concern.

Ah...I see what you mean. Which OS are you running?

I would think that anything recent (ie XP sp2 or a recent iteration/distro of *nix) will already have the drivers loaded and be ok.

shocky123 · 11-08-2005, 10:04 AM

If you're using Windows, you will likely have to re-install your OS upon switching motherboards. Micro$oft likes to make you re-install/re-activate/etc whenver you make moderate hardware changes.
I've never not had to reinstall with this type of hardware change.

..but with regards to the drivers and such, you shouldnt have too many problems with getting it to run SATA. Unless you're using a controller card for your SATA, as opposed to an onboard port/slot.

~Kyle

LegendKiller · 11-08-2005, 10:10 AM

I don't think you will have any problems. As long as the SATA controller is the same or similar and the chipset drivers are new and similar you should be OK. I would update all of the mobo/sata drivers before you do it just to make sure they are forwards compatible.

SmokeyDP · 11-08-2005, 10:56 AM

I am running XP Pro so activation is not an issue. I am using the on board SATA also. I guess I will have to just try it and if it doesn't work reformat. I was just hoping to hear some hints I could use before I went ahead with this.

Hoser · 11-08-2005, 12:24 PM

Activation is not an issue if you're running a corporate version of XP Pro.

11-08-2005, 09:42 AM	#1
SmokeyDP Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Middlesex, NJ Posts: 541	Motherboard Upgrade Questions... Right now I have this motherboard: ABIT KV8 Pro Socket 754 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail I want to upgrade to this one so I can have the same Socket 754 and now have PCI-E for a new video card: ASUS K8N4-E DELUXE Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX Can I do this without having to reformat my computer? My main concern is that I am booting off the onboard SATA on the ABIT card.... I am a pretty experienced system builder and computer repair dude, but I have not tried to do something such as this and want to hear other experiences. I know that in the past it can be a PIA to get a new motherboard to work with a different chipset without any reformatting.

11-08-2005, 10:04 AM	#5
shocky123 Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ames, Iowa Posts: 828	If you're using Windows, you will likely have to re-install your OS upon switching motherboards. Micro$oft likes to make you re-install/re-activate/etc whenver you make moderate hardware changes. I've never not had to reinstall with this type of hardware change. ..but with regards to the drivers and such, you shouldnt have too many problems with getting it to run SATA. Unless you're using a controller card for your SATA, as opposed to an onboard port/slot. ~Kyle __________________ "me awaits onslaught of estrogen fury." -CornMonkey "5. When your friend dates a woman that is absolutely terrible for him, and she's wrecking his life, it's your duty to openly hate her, and point out how evil she is." -ialsohaveadream

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11-08-2005, 09:51 AM	#2
zero2dash Commander Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Fenton, MO - but I wish I was at the beach. ANY beach. Posts: 1,367	I wouldn't think there would be any problems, but then again I don't have any experience with swapping out mobos but keeping the same HD/OS. I would think that you'd just plug the new one in and your OS will automatically do all the configuring, but then again, like I said...I've never done this before myself.

11-08-2005, 10:10 AM	#6
LegendKiller Vice Admiral Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,927	I don't think you will have any problems. As long as the SATA controller is the same or similar and the chipset drivers are new and similar you should be OK. I would update all of the mobo/sata drivers before you do it just to make sure they are forwards compatible.

11-08-2005, 10:56 AM	#7
SmokeyDP Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Middlesex, NJ Posts: 541	I am running XP Pro so activation is not an issue. I am using the on board SATA also. I guess I will have to just try it and if it doesn't work reformat. I was just hoping to hear some hints I could use before I went ahead with this.

11-08-2005, 12:24 PM	#8
Hoser Commander Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Omaha, NE, United States Posts: 1,275	Activation is not an issue if you're running a corporate version of XP Pro.

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