Dumb computer question

[Courtesy Flush]

I see a really good deal on a new motherboard at newegg.com, and I'm thinking about an upgrade.

I know that when I installed Windows it scanned my system and configured itself to my hardware. So I wonder if it would be a problem if I replace the motherboard and tried to boot to the same Windows disk.

What can I expect from this?

[Omphaloskepsis]

1. It might work....

And it might not. Without knowing exactly what the old one was and what the new one is it is impossible to tell.

And are you sure that your RAM, processor, and video card will work with the new Motherboard?

[billyskank]

2. This is the technical answer:

What you can expect is that when you reboot your machine, Windows will go mad in recogising new hardware. It may be possible to install the right drivers and get it functioning again, but it might be easier to reinstall Windows from scratch. However, that brings me to the legal answer.

This is the legal answer:

Is it XP or Vista? And retail or OEM? You need to check the licence terms.

That is, if Windows came with the computer, it's OEM. If you bought Windows boxed separately, it is retail, unless you specifically bought an OEM copy.

It matters because OEM copies of Windows have greater restrictions on reinstallations. Especially Vista; with Vista you are not supposed to reinstall an OEM copy on a new machine, and "new machine" is defined as a new motherboard. With retail copies, I think you can reinstall it on as many different machines as you like, provided it is only installed on one machine at a time.

However, people have managed to reinstall Vista on machines with new motherboards, but you have to phone Microsoft to activate it. If you tell them that your old motherboard broke this is reported to work. The person on the other end of the phone doesn't really care that much.

[Perry Logan]

3. Hell, I've got LOTS of dumber computer questions than that.

[Wcross]

4. Do yourself a favor & see if you can find the MB here;

http://www.pricewatch.com/

I have found Newegg to be overpriced on a LOT of items. This web sight will find you the absolutely lowest price on any computer item.

BTW- the windows license issue. I bought an OEM version of vista and have been able to activate it on two different motherboards.

[Yavin4]

5. What Exactly Would Be The Benefits of Upgrading to a New MB?

Because of the uncertainty that Windows may have to such an upgrade, if you don't have a significant benefit, then it may not be worth it.