Help needed! AGP to PCI-E without new windows install!

[streetb]

Hi there, this is a very noobish question and I'm not even sure if it's in the right thread. The thing is that I have a AGP8x system and as I'm buying a new VGA (PCI-E) I must also change my motherboard to a PCI one. So far so good. The problem is that (like most ppl) one likes to keep all the programs, games etc. With a new install, everything will be lost...is there a way to keep all my stuff as before, or is there a PCI Motherboard with Via k8t800 chip??? I know that an Nvidia chip wil cause me some troubles thus making it necessary a new windows install and everything down the toilet! I found this tip (it's a tech mechanic tip, yours) :

"Changing Motherboard Without Re-installing Windows - Windows 2000 and XP are very picky about the hardware they run on and, in most cases, rebooting these operating systems after swapping out your motherboard will result in a boot failure and BSOD (blue screen of death). There is however a way to avoid re-installing Windows and that is doing a repair installation. After swapping out your motherboard and sucessfully getting to the BIOS, ensure that the boot order includes the CD-ROM. Then, insert your Windows installation CD into the drive and reboot. For XP users, do the following once booted to Windows Setup:

(1) Press ENTER to setup Windows XP now.
(2) Press F8 to agree to the EULA.
(3) Press "R" to begin a repair installation.

At this point, it will go through the entire setup process as usual, but what it is doing is simply re-installing all of the system files. All of your user settings, registry and data will remain intact.

Once the installation is complete, XP users will need to re-activate their installation of Windows with Microsoft once again. Once this is done, you will also need to run Windows Update again to re-patch Windows. After this, you should be up and running."

Will this work in my case???? does anyone know a good motherboard not a top one but almost, that can help me with this problem??? Thank you in advance. Peace

[glc]

As the computer boots, you will see the message “Press any key to boot from CD” = so press Enter (or any key you wish!) The next message onscreen will show “To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER” = yep, press Enter. When the option to press R to enter the Recovery Console is offered, do not select it! When the Windows XP Licensing Agreement is displayed onscreen, press F8 to agree. Next, check that the installation of Windows XP you wish to repair is selected in the box, and then press the R key to repair Windows XP.

With this, it doesn't matter what motherboard you use. You will not lose any programs or files. However, it WOULD be smart to prepare for the update by uninstalling hardware and supporting software that will NOT be used on the new board first. In fact, if you do this and change the IDE controllers, you MAY not even have to do a repair.

I'm going to add something here - this has worked for me and saves a lot of time. If all you are going to do is swap out a motherboard or move a 2000 or XP hard drive to another system, try this. Before shutting down, open Device Manager. Open up the IDE controllers, you will see one or two busmaster controllers. Double click on them and find the Update Driver tab. Do not search, select pick from a list. You will see Standard Dual IDE Controller. Use that one. Doing this will allow the system to boot without getting the usual INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE bluescreen. This is the key to get it to boot. Of course, it would be a very good idea to uninstall the drivers for all components that will not be making the move.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[streetb]

OK, I see, you just need to do a repair by following the steps you suggested. I've been having a bit of a head-ache cause everyone tells me that I need to do a new instalation, the only person who did not told me that is a friend that is a computer engineer (not around at the moment), he told me that this is in fact possible and makes all the logic. There's only one thing, does the windows version needs to be a legit one? I'm just not sure if mine is, my friend also asked me the refernce of the new vga it's an Asus 7800GTX Extreme Edition ( he's the only who didn't lost his head with this....lolollololo). Anyway, Illinois man, I thank you for your help and if you have any other suggestion feel free to post it. I cross my fingers and pray for this to work. Peace and thank you very much. Regards from Portugal.

[glc]

Well, we always suggest using a legit version of Windows - our forum rules do not allow for anything but!

Doing a repair install replaces all the system files and redetects all devices just like a fresh install - but it does not wipe anything else out. XP is capable enough with hardware detection that if you just change the IDE controllers and fire it up, it should boot into Windows and detect all new hardware without a reinstall.

[Kareeser]

Having never done a repair install, I would suggest a complete backup of all of your important files. Makes sense anyway

Running Windows Update or downloading the WGA will allow Windows to determine for itself whether it is a legit copy or not.

Good luck!

[chuck4456]

I would copy my files, just to be on the safe side. 9 times out of 10, those suggestions work. There is always the 10th time. Had it happen - once. One time is as good as ten. Back up your files.

[streetb]

Ok, will do that. In fact I keep the most important stuff in several DVDs. Anyway I would like to thank you all for your suggestions and help. Jus to make it clear I should uninstall all related software and hardware before the repair and once the repair done I install the new stuff (VGA + mortherboard), is that it? Sorry to bother you guys, I just want to make things the right way. Thanks and, peace!

[glc]

Correct. Try the IDE controller trick first, you may not even have to do a repair.

[streetb]

Kool! glc, Illinois man, I thank you. All the others who helped too.