New Motherboard without losing xp settings

[iceice]

Hi

I'm trying to work out the best way of creating a system where when my motherboard next goes ( usually happens every 3 yrs or so) I will not have to re-install all my programs and settings(this would take days). I've created a ghost copy of my current installation with Acronis true image ( seemed more robust than Symantec which couldn't ghost my 40gb+ data)

I was thinking about buying 2 or 3 of the same boards but I'm concerned that if they lie around for 5 yrs or more the cmos batteries will lose power and they may become unbootable.

Question 1: Is it an option to change the batteries every 2 years or so

Question 2: Is there a better method ? I read somewhere that XP comes with SYSPREP which may do the job. Or maybe the files and settings transfer wizard. I need a robust system that I can utilise now so I'm well set up for the next motherboard

 

[BadBigBen]

The easiest way to do so is to remove the IDE/SATA drivers of the INSTALLED version of XP you have and install the GENERIC DRIVERS, then create a GHOST image... this way you can reapply that image to any MB...

about the Batteries, well you could just leave them out this does no harm at all... so no need to replace them when it comes to installing the said Mobo, you just pop one in and you are good to go...

See thread779-1199588 for the solution I mentioned above...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[wolluf]

99 times out of 100 a repair reinstall will get XP going on new board (assuming it doesn't just boot - which it often just does too)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

but in 5 years or so.... Vista supposedly ships this year, and has some different install and recovery methods to XP. And would you want a board from 2001 now?

 

[paparazi]

Lets be realistic about this, the changes is software and hardware technologies over a five year period are vast.

With respect, know one is there right mind is going to want hardware that is 5 years out of date and may not support software and hardware demands that will be around in the future.

Whilst I can understand lots of circumstances where you need to save important data over a long time frame, programes, utilities and hardware are an ever evolving entity and need to keep up with what is at any given time.

For example: Would an Intel P3 450mhz with 128mb of PC100 and 8.4gig Hard disc run 64bit Vista? of course it wouldn't! and thats the kind of massive difference that occur over a 5 year period.

A days work reinstalling and upgrading every three years or so isn't much in the greater scheme of things.
Technology simply moves on.
Martin



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[wasisnt]

I always make sure to have the XP CD in the drive and have it set to boot from CD first. Then do a repair install like wolluf said. If you boot to windows normally first then it may hose it.

The repair install should keep all your programs and documents intact and setup Windows for your new hardware. You will have to install drivers for onboard sound and video etc after its done though.

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