Ended up getting the ASUS K7M Slot A Athlon ATX motherboard becuase I couldn't find the vt's. I tried the yahoo store..but no luck there because when I went to purchase the motherboard it said "Note: some of the requested items are not avaliable at this time." So i figured I'd check back a couple days, but still no luck. So, I know I wanted to get the ball rollin on this so he can get up and running. *The wireless keyboard and mouse should be here sometime next week..along with the MB getting here on Monday hopefully!

A question and an afterthought though.
I went ahead and put xp pro *legit of course* on the hdd I've got here for my friend and got everything set up and all the required anti-virus stuff that he'll need to get up and running on the college network.

A. To make sure the hdd was still in good condition since it had been shipped from Norther VA down to good ol' lynchburg.
B. Becuase I was bored.

So my question is, I know I am going to need the drivers for the MB correct? And I am probably going to have to reinstall windows so that it can load its own drivers on the MB ? I got the right process down in my head but just making sure I don't miss anything ..or overlook something that i'll have to do inorder for it to work just right.

I know its a long post but thanks for reading and all the advice so far guys.

Sincerely,
Twinscroll

If I understand this correctly:

You want to put a hard drive that was attached to one mobo into a system with a different mobo.

Install the drive , BOOT INTO SAFE MODE, Go into device manager and blow away all the old mobo drivers, reboot into normal mode, install new drivers.

You understood correctly. My only problem would be getting the drivers for the motherboard..since they are no longer on the hdd and I'm not sure if the MB being shipped to me is going to come with a cd for the drivers.
If it doesn't come with the drivers, my thought is to get online and find the drivers for the MB, put them on an A disk and then load somehow..not sure when to though?

Quote: Originally Posted by Twinscroll You understood correctly. My only problem would be getting the drivers for the motherboard..since they are no longer on the hdd and I'm not sure if the MB being shipped to me is going to come with a cd for the drivers. If it doesn't come with the drivers, my thought is to get online and find the drivers for the MB, put them on an A disk and then load somehow..not sure when to though?

Yep, that's what you want to do. As I said, boot ONLY into safe mode the 1st time, go into device manager, delete anything that looks like it belonged to the old mobo, reboot normally, install drivers for "new" mobo.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

U should be able to find drivers online at manufater website or use google.

U can burn them on a bootable disc or use a floppy like you said.

Sorry for getting back to you all so late. I've been way to busy to do much of anything. Mostly my fault with tests and papers etc etc. Anyways..

Was able to get the correct drivers.
Alright cool, so just make a bootable disc with the drivers on it. put the hdd on the new mb, start the computer up. then just making sure but wouldn't it not even load the windows to ask me if i wanted to boot in safe mode or not becuase the drivers for that motherboard aren't on the hdd? or how should i go about this thought wise. Like what I want to do if someone could break it down.

The processor came with a huge and flimsy heat sink, however I had to do some modding because of where the ATX plugs in on the motherboard is right under where the fins for the heat sink sit.

I'll get some photos up here in min. Mind you its pretty ugly but all my tools are at my house...not exactly enough room for them here at college.

No need for a bootable disc.

When the system is booting, hold down the F8 key, this will give you a menu , choose "safe mode". Or hold down the F5 key while booting, this will take you straight into safe mode.

Next, go into "device manager", and remove any drivers that look like they belong to the old motherboard.

Now, reboot, allowing the system to go into windows. At this point, it will start looking for drivers, which you will have available on the cd or floppy.

You might want to check the BIOS to see if "plug and play OS" is enabled.

Much appreciated Joecoin

Sincerely,
Twinscroll

Quote: Originally Posted by Twinscroll Much appreciated Joecoin Sincerely, Twinscroll

Twinscroll,

I've found out that sometimes XP does not like this procedure. It's better to remove the old mobo drivers while the HD is still in the old machine. That means, the very last time the HD is in the old machine, blow away the mobo drivers, shut it down, and DO NOT turn it back on.

Then, put the HD in the "new" machine.

Sorry for the bad info.

dont forget the goodness of xp... after you switch to another mb, you will have to reactivate xp...

Nope, delete ENUM key. http://forums.pcapex.com/anything_go...ut_forgot.html

Quote: Originally Posted by musclecars&computers Nope, delete ENUM key. http://forums.pcapex.com/anything_go...ut_forgot.html

that method works if you have an ide hdd ... or the new computer has the same raid driver as the old system

Quote: Originally Posted by joecoin Twinscroll, I've found out that sometimes XP does not like this procedure. It's better to remove the old mobo drivers while the HD is still in the old machine. That means, the very last time the HD is in the old machine, blow away the mobo drivers, shut it down, and DO NOT turn it back on. Then, put the HD in the "new" machine. Sorry for the bad info.

Hey, Joecoin its alright. Only problem being is that the hdd has already been formatted and i didn't get a chance to blow away all the drivers before the computer was shut down for the last time.

Quote: Originally Posted by THRiLL KiLL dont forget the goodness of xp... after you switch to another mb, you will have to reactivate xp...

oh of course..don't we all love windows ...

The heat sink that the gateway slot a processor came with...becuase at the time it was a "gaming system" however you can see the part that i've marked will need to be cut so the atx connector can fit in there...

sounds like i need to hook you uop with my old machining teacher. i do believe he can mill that metal right off in under 5 minutes. as for the vid card. its a geforce 2 from what i acn tell right now. though that sticker may be wrong on the connector. ill check it in person when im feeling better and let you know for sure

Sounds good Jager...thanks.

as for the heat sink..i took to it the other day. I just need to get it done so I got it pretty much done but i'll be giving you a call here shortly.