can I change my mobo with reinstalling win xp ?

[tragushardie]

needing to change mobo, but dont want to reinsatll xp, is there any way round this?

[C0UGAR UK]

There are two ways to do it that is to:

Plug it into new motherboard without disconnecting it from the old one (this way is tricky) :-)

OR

Unplug IDE/power leads etc from the motherboard
Remove motherboard
Transfer CPU/memory/AGP-PCi cards etc to new motherboard
Install new motherboard
Plug in IDE/power leads etc

Bingo.

Well that is the procedure, you will need to refer to motherboard manual to set up the motherboard jumpers etc (if needed), depending upon motherboard choice, then go into CMOS when the system is booted up to setup system and detect HDD etc

Unplugging a HDD from a motherboard and plugging it into another has no effect on what is installed on it (unless you drop it etc)

[nightheart]

The easiest way to do this is, is to do a repair install after you replace everything. Just boot off the XP CD, and select install XP. XP should "see" the other install and give you an option to repair the old one. The only thing you'll lose are your windows update downloads, and any unsigned drivers.

[Mr Snatcher]

There is a good chance it wont take cause of the hardware changes. A clean install would be the best, you can do what nightheart suggested, but there is always a chance something may not work right....its M$, anything is possible.

[nightheart]

If it isn't going to take, the option to repair won't be available. A clean install is always best, even if it's just to clean out all the "crap" thats built up in XP over time. IF you have a cd or dvd burner, just burn all your files you want to keep, or copy to another HD.

Anway my 2 cents. The repair option is always been there for me, but i normally opt for a clean install anyway.

[C0UGAR UK]

tragushardie. when you say 'changing' the motherboard do you mean exchange, change, or upgrade, I assumed you were just changing with a replacement, as I said earlier it will depend upon the motherboard, perhaps be good to mention what motherboad is installed and what you are changing it for.