Replacing the motherboard does not require reinstalling the Windows XP system.

In general, when we change the hardware such as the new motherboard, RAID card or IDE card (that is, the system hardware has undergone major changes), when you enter Windows 2000/XP again. , usually can not enter the operating system normally. Even if you upgrade the motherboard using the same manufacturer's chipset, for example, upgrade from the Intel i845 chipset motherboard to the i865 chipset motherboard. The end result is that the Windows system and most of the application software must be reinstalled.

If you don't have too many applications on your computer, it takes about half an hour to reinstall Windows XP, which is acceptable. But if you have installed a lot of applications, reinstalling Windows XP is very annoying. In addition to the basic operating system to be installed, there are a variety of upgrade files and patch files, drivers, etc., it is really troublesome.

In fact, reinstalling the operating system is not necessary. As long as you follow the method described in this article, you can also ensure that the hardware will still work after replacing the motherboard and other hardware, so you do not have to reinstall Windows XP.

First, the general operation steps

1, before starting, it is best to use Ghost to make a mirror backup of the hard disk partition where Windows XP is located, in case of error, you can also restore to the previous normal status.

2. Open the chassis and unplug all PCI cards except the display card.

3. In Windows "Start" -> "Settings" -> "Control Panel" -> "Add /Remove Programs", all hard disk acceleration programs are deleted, including IAA Acceleration Program for Intel Chipset and IDE Tool for VIA Chipset.

4, then uninstall the motherboard chipset driver in the "Control Panel", but do not restart the computer. The specific method is:

(1) Go to "Control Panel"-->"System"-->"Hardware"-->"Device Manager", click "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" For the project, the first sub-item below it is the motherboard chipset (Figure 1).

Figure 1

(2) Double-click the motherboard chipset name, in the "Properties" page of the "Properties" window that appears, click the "Update Driver" button (Figure 2 ).

Figure 2

(3) After entering the "Hardware Update Wizard" dialog box, select "Install from list or specified location" and click the "Next" button (Figure 3).

Figure 3

(4) Then, select "Don't search, I have to choose the driver to install". Click the "Next" button (Figure 4).

Figure 4

(5) Select "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller" in the "Display Compatible Devices" window and follow the instructions to complete the installation (Figure 5).

Figure 5

5, shut down, but do not restart. Then install the hard drive to the new motherboard, plug in the display card and turn it on. If there is no accident, you should be able to start normally and enter Windows XP. After entering the system, install the driver for the new motherboard chipset.

Second, special situation countermeasures

If you still have a blue screen or keep restarting when you enter Windows XP after completing the above steps, you need to continue the following steps:

6 Repeat steps 1 through 4.

7. Go to "Control Panel"--> "System"--> "Device Manager", click on "Computer" item to display "ACPI Uniprocessor" sub-project, or "Advanced Configuration and Power" Interface PC” (Figure 6).

Figure 6

Regardless of what is displayed here, you should right-click and select the "Update Driver" item, then click "Install from list or specific location" (Figure 7). And in the next settings page, select "Do not search, I have to choose the driver to install."

Figure 7

8. Go to the "Display compatible hardware" page. If you have multiple options, just choose a different option than before. But be careful: don't choose a Multi Processor-related project if your computer is not multi-processor. Then follow the instructions to complete the upgrade steps.

9. After completing the upgrade, shut down the hard disk and install it on the new motherboard. Only plug in the display card and boot it.

10. If you still can't enter Windows XP normally, try using Safe Mode to enter. If the security mode does not work, change the computer to "Standard PC" in Figure 8. (Figure 8). After choosing this item, there will be no more problems. However, the result is that some advanced power management functions and IRQ interrupt allocation functions disappear or worse, but it does not affect your normal use.

Figure 8