How To Avoid Reinstalling Windows After Replacing Your Motherboard !
Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009
by tektime
TekTime IT Consulting & Computer Repair
Has your motherboard died after years of use and you can't afford a new computer? Do you want to upgrade to a "newer" motherboard? If you have ever replaced a motherboard, chances are the computer wouldn't boot up with the new motherboard. In the event that your new board won't allow you to boot into Windows, you'll have to reformat the drive and re-install Windows...correct? Maybe not.
On the other hand, when you install a motherboard from a different manufacturer than your "to be replaced" motherboard, you may encounter booting problems, failure to boot, unexplainable crashes, random restarts, etc. To avoid problems associated with replacing a motherboard, follow these steps:
*Note, this MUST be done prior to uninstalling your OLD motherboard.*
1.) Turn on your PC.
2.) After powering up your computer, press "F8" repeatedly. This will give you the option to "Start in safe mode", amongst other options.
3.) Choose "Start in safe mode".
4.)When your computer has booted to the desktop screen, your screen will have notification that you are in safe mode. If you get a message allowing you to "click OK to continue", click ok.
5.) Next, you will need to go to the "Device Manager", and uninstall all of the drivers/software associated with your old motherboard.
6.) Click on the "Start" menu
7.) Click on "Control Panel" (If in "Category View", click "Performance and Maintenance", then click the "System" icon. If in "Classic View", double click the "System" icon. )
8.) Click on the "Hardware" tab.
9.) Click on "Device Manager".
10.) You will now see a long, vertical "string" of installed hardware and devices. Double click each hardware category, and you will notice the "+" becomes a "-" as the hardware sub-menus drop down. The subcategories are the hardware that can be uninstalled or disabled.
11.) Right click all subcategories for the below listed hardware, and click "Uninstall". When "Uninstall" is not possible, choose "Disable". The categories that should be chosen and the subcategories uninstalled( or disabled) are:
"IDE ATA/Atapi Controllers"
"Network adapter"
"Sound video and game controllers"
"Universal Serial Bus Controllers"
"Display adapters"
Once the above hardware groups are uninstalled or disabled, now it's time to uninstall any software that is associated with the hardware/drivers that were uninstalled.
12.) Choose "Start" menu, then click "Control Panel." Next, double click "Add or Remove Programs." Uninstall ANY software that is associated with the hardware that will be replaced. (For example, if you have a NVIDIA onboard video card on your old motherboard, and you see software for: "NVIDIA Control Panel", remove it. If you are unsure what should be uninstalled SKIP THIS STEP, and contact your PC manufacturer, or reseller for assistance! )
13.) Next, it's time to shut down your computer and prepare to install the new motherboard. Now the old software and drivers shouldn't conflict with the new hardware, and drivers that will be installed after the replacement. If you have any questions during this step, contact your PC manufacturer, reseller or myself for assistance!
HAPPY COMPUTING!!
Jarvis Edwards - TekTime
http://www.time4tech.com
This Article has been viewed 3,812 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Interesting article! I've never tried that myself but it sounds like it could take some of the pain out of changing to a new motherboard!Thanks for the reading the article! I hope I help to save the precious data of a frustrated person that isn't aware of this option!
Very useful article. I tried do it and works!
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.