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Computer Experts...plz help!!!

i'm in a jam right now and am hoping to get this problem sorted fast.

my motherboard died, and i need to replace it, but everything else is still intact. If i replace the mobo using the same company (gigabyte in my case) with a different model (because mine isn't made anymore) that support the same chipset etcetc. are the drivers usually still the same, allowing everything to go back to normal straight away once re-assembled? I tried emailing gigabyte about this, but their responce could take awhile.

thanks

All the parts will work, but you will have to re-install windows.

thats what i was afraid of...thanks for the response though.

quote:

Originally posted by Orko All the parts will work, but you will have to re-install windows.

Beaten to the punch.

if you want to see some fun windows errors, try booting without the reinstall!

quote:

Originally posted by chw if you want to see some fun windows errors, try booting without the reinstall!

Haha yes. It'll shit itself 10 ways from Sunday.

Re: Computer Experts...plz help!!!

quote:

Originally posted by djbruuen i'm in a jam right now and am hoping to get this problem sorted fast. my motherboard died, and i need to replace it, but everything else is still intact. If i replace the mobo using the same company (gigabyte in my case) with a different model (because mine isn't made anymore) that support the same chipset etcetc. are the drivers usually still the same, allowing everything to go back to normal straight away once re-assembled? I tried emailing gigabyte about this, but their responce could take awhile. thanks

I've changed a MOBO before under the same conditions your under and windows loaded the changed drivers for the MOBO and it all worked. Go for it... you have nothing to lose. No matter what happens, all your data will still be in tact.

It can be done. You don't necessarily have to reinstall. Actually, people think that there are all sorts of crazy motherboard-related drivers that have to load before Windows can start at all, but most of the time, it's actually just the IDE/SATA/RAID channel drivers that are the problem. If Windows doesn't have the right drivers for that, it will throw the INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE BSOD at you and you'll be generally hosed.

Vista's actually great about this. If you know you're going to be changing the array, and you know what you're going to be changing it to, you can just flick on a registry setting and tell it to load that driver, and you'll be fine.

However, if your motherboard is more than about 6 months old, you're going to have a hell of a time finding one with the exact same drive controller. For example, my mobo is an ICH8R (Intel) and it's rare to even find an ICH9[R] now, it's usually 10 or 11. Vista seems to handle these "upgrades" fairly gracefully, as long as it has a native driver and you don't have to use the manufacturer's. XP will bomb, though, guaranteed, unless you're able to set up all the drivers and registry settings before you switch, which you obviously won't be able to do if the whole box is dead, and even if it's not dead, it's nigh on impossible to figure out exactly which settings in which keys you have to flip.

If you're running XP, your best bet is probably to search eBay or craigslist for a second-hand mobo that's the exact same model as the one you have. You might have to reactivate, but you wouldn't have to reinstall.

I've replaced a few motherboards before and never had to re-install windows. It did look for the drivers upon bootup and took a few minutes to install. I did have to get updated drivers from the net that were newer than what windows had built-in.

If the new motherboard has the same exact chipset as the old one you will most likely be able to boot and just reinstall any other driver if needed.

You may have to re-verify the license on Windows but you shoudln't have to re-install.

quote:

Originally posted by rabbitjoker You may have to re-verify the license on Windows but you shoudln't have to re-install.

depends if the OS is legit.....

some really great info here! thanks to everyone for the helpful replies. Luckily i'm using vista 64 ultimate. My motherboard is 1.5years old (more specifically from march 07 in accordance to the manufactured date found in the serial number). Its crazy how often they're always changing them around.

All things being compatible then, since its a gigabyte mobo, is it essential to stick with gigabyte? or can i change manufactures with the same specs.

quote:

Originally posted by djbruuen All things being compatible then, since its a gigabyte mobo, is it essential to stick with gigabyte? or can i change manufactures with the same specs.

What's important is the chipset and more specifically the drive controller. If your existing mobo uses an ICH9 controller than you want to find one with an ICH9; if it's ULi M1575 then find another one with ULi M1575. If you've got one of the nForce boards then get another nForce. And if you've got a VIA then just shoot yourself.

Manufacturer doesn't matter as long as Windows can find the hard drives with the drivers already installed. And since you're running Vista, it doesn't even really matter if it blows up - you wouldn't have to reinstall completely, just run a repair and you're done.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut What's important is the chipset and more specifically the drive controller. If your existing mobo uses an ICH9 controller than you want to find one with an ICH9; if it's ULi M1575 then find another one with ULi M1575. If you've got one of the nForce boards then get another nForce. And if you've got a VIA then just shoot yourself. Manufacturer doesn't matter as long as Windows can find the hard drives with the drivers already installed. And since you're running Vista, it doesn't even really matter if it blows up - you wouldn't have to reinstall completely, just run a repair and you're done.

thanks for the info digi...i realized my mobo is ICH8...would ICH10 work, as everything else on this mobo seems comparible.

i've figured it best to perhaps trying to find the same ICH8 P965 motherboard. There must be some store between hamilton-toronto that sell used computer parts...anyone know them off hand?

If you're running Vista, ICH10 should be fine. As long as you stick to the Intel chipset, it's the same driver.

(At least I think it is... I know it's the same for ICH8 and ICH9)

I know PC Outlet sells used computers but I think you may have trouble finding used parts in a store. Try eBay or one of the online classifieds.

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut And if you've got a VIA then just shoot yourself.

This, just this

quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut If you're running Vista, ICH10 should be fine. As long as you stick to the Intel chipset, it's the same driver. (At least I think it is... I know it's the same for ICH8 and ICH9) I know PC Outlet sells used computers but I think you may have trouble finding used parts in a store. Try eBay or one of the online classifieds.

well i managed to find what 'appears' to be a good deal, and hopefully granted that your advice is accurate, it will be as simple as legoing back together my computer with everything working:

from

gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ICH8

to

DFI Infinity P965-S Intel P965 ICH8R (will this R make any difference)

Link to MOBO

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