Hi I am rebuilding my PC, replacing the motherboard but keeping the HDD, CPU and RAM etc.

I'm not sure how to go about getting the system running. I know how to put the bits together, but what about loading the BIOS, motherboard drivers, and ultimately getting Windows on there. I have the BIOS and drivers off the motherboard manufacturer's website.

Also, as an aside, is it possible to do a repair of windows rather than replacing the current version in order to keep the files and folders on the HDD? If not, how do I get windows onto an alternative drive and use the original drive as a second drive, in order to keep the files and folders.

If possible could somebody post some instructions on what order to do things

ok first you do not need to load the bios unless you are thinking of updaing it, which really isnt neccessary unless your having problems. so leave that alone for now.

secondly put everything together

CPU & heatsink
RAM
Graphics card
Sound Card (if required)
PSU

if you have a copy of windows on a cd you can perform a repair install which will allow you to keep your current windows on the HD and not loose any work.

This is how to perform a repair install

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...

once you have done this, you should be able to boot into windows, you can then:

1)install chipset drivers from the motherbaord cd

2)perform a windows update

3)install other software.

do not do anything to the bios there usually isnt a need for this unless you are experiencing problems.

put the stuff together do the above and post back with questions or comments ok.

Thanks,

Thankyou, I will follow those steps and post back with any problems

A quick question -

the version of windows on the hard drive is XP Media Edition, the one on the CD which I am using to do a repair is XP Professional.

Will this cause a problem when trying to run a repair?

yes i believe it would, you need to have the correct version to perform the repair.

what you can do in this case is, install windows xp pro on a new HD and make this your primary drive.

then on the other hard drive change the jumper on the back to slave drive and plug it into your motherboard, you can the retrive your work and documents.

here is a good website about master/slave settings on the hard drive.

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgradin...

If you're not upgrading the CPU, RAM or HDD what is the point of upgrading the motherboard? Is there a problem with the one you currently have?

I disagree with this statement: "do not do anything to the bios there usually isnt a need for this unless you are experiencing problems"

The BIOS should ALWAYS be manually configured to provide best performance. Clicking on "Fail-safe defaults" or "Optimized defaults" will get you going, but neither will be optimal, regardless of called "optimized".

im with jam. why change the mobo and nothing else??
and arrr i dispare with the plug and play generation!!!! set the bios up and learn a bit about it always. The user manual will be more than helpful just do it one step at a time.
i say it will take you a day to set up the bios and plug all the hardwear in. so get lots of coffie read the manual and get going. read manual first though and understand what you going to do before you do it. it even tells you how to install the hard drives and momory and cpu.
i know some one who knew nothing and got his computer working in half an hour. worked for 2 years then he put and new dvd burner in. but because it was sata and he didnt set the bios up properly and had raid turned on. the mobo decided to mirror the burner to the hard drive. so then bye bye all his data on the hard drive as the mobo wiped it.

things to watch out for in the bios is make sure it sees the cpu and reads it properly, that it can see all the memory and it has the apropriate settings for the hard drive.
if there all correct manually put the setting in as they are on default. sounds stupid if the mobo can already see whats there to tell. but some times plug and play goes boobies up and if youve told it already then it wont matter one bit.

secondly and come in close for this cos its not strickly cosha. (in hushed tones)i think a restore disk is an install disk but it must see a valid copy of windows before it starts. bit like an upgrade disk(but upgrade looks for previous versions). ms products looks for key files to make sure its valid but there present in all builds of windows so the disk will spin up have a quick peek and see the files. but as i said its a install disk so if there is any data like personal phots or work it will wipe them.

all text needs typos. There there for the reader to find,to distract them from the total lack of content.
google it! wasnt the answer to the question i asked so dont be dense and give me that repl

Ahh sorry i think i misread what you were asking i thought you were asking about updating or flashing the bios oops. my fault for reading things to quickly.

Its about time I had some luck - this week has been a PC maintenance disaster from step one!

I put everything together and switched on the PSU. By some miracle windows loaded first time, though it did ask me to activate the version which I have not had to do before with this PC.

Any advice on optimising everything (BIOS etc)? - this has gone far too well for it to be running efficiently as possible!

Thanks for all the help, you have no idea how relieved I am to have my main PC back in action!