I currently have a wimpy ASUS M2N-E. Well, it's good for the most part... I just wish I had something more versatile.

I'm thinking about upgrading it something a bit more high end. I don't know what yet but I do have a question.

Can you just pull out the old mobo and put in a new one without having to reinstall Windows (though I do expect new drivers might be required)?

I have a copy of XP Pro SP2 that I got form my school and I read somewhere that certain copies of XP will not work if you change the motherboard. How do I know that'll be the case with my copy?

sorry. you need to install a new os.

maybe like 1 time in a 100 you could get it to boot and reinstall the new drivers and work.

It would be a incredibly bad way of doing things however as there would be all sort of driver issue's even if it did work.

your best bet is a complete reinstall of windows annoying but you know thats life.

Ok, I don't mind reinstalling Windows... that's not an issue since my OS is on it's own HD so I don't have to worry about backing up too many files and whatnot.

I was just worried that my copy of XP wouldn't work if I changed my motherboard.

Now the question is what. I was thinking about that high end Foxconn mobo but... that things only got 1 fan connector, which is absolutely ridiculous.

Here is a link to the MS article on upgrading motherboards

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125

If you have a retail copy of Windows you will be fine. OEM disks sometimes check the target and abort if not what is expected.

Are you looking at upgrading the CPU or just the MB?

Upgrading a Motherboard without Reinstalling

that might be the link of the century. does it work with vista though?

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

http://download.microsoft.com/down [...] SLicQA.doc

So says the software Nazis! Heil Gates!

Regarding your "Upgrading a Motherboard without Reinstalling"...
Does this mean you can transfer a current WinXP setup to a new computer as well?
Thanks.

Now the OEM thing is the thing I'm confused about. I understand that OEM copies are only supposed to be ones given with prebuilt systems like Dells and HPs, but I think the copy my school is selling is an OEM one since all I get is the disc and key, without anything.

Anyways, I'm backing out of this new mobo thing. I was hoping that I'd be able to get a better mobo for $150 than what I have now but that doesn't seem to be case. There's a deal on this Foxconn mobo (with a ridicilous name) that looked really tempting... but it's got some really dumb flaws, such as one fan connector.