computer help: How does changing a motherboard affect your Hard Drive?

Question

After my motherboard blew out, I am upgrading to a new one. How will this affect my hard drive? I hear that you will have to reinstall Windows operating system on that same hard drive for a new motherboard? My current hard drive has Windows Vista installed onto it, but I only have a Windows XP Pro CD. Running XP instead of Vista is not a problem for me, it will just make my computer run faster. The problem is, will I lose all my files if I install XP onto the Hard drive/motherboard instead of Vista? Should I back up all my files onto a different hard drive before installing XP or will it just transfer the files over? I have a lot of important stuff I do not want to lose on my hard drive.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, you will lose everything if you install XP on your drive. Why not installing
another drive for XP and using the old one as a slave or secondary drive? that
way you won't lose anything, you don't have to transfer all your stuff and also
you can use it as additional storage.  But before you do any of that, connect
your HD to the new motherboard. Chances are is gonna boot and ask you to
activate it with microsoft. If you have the COA with the key for Vista, give it a
try.

? · Answer

yeah would say back up your files onto a external hard drive or USB so that you dont lose them, and yes you will loose your files when installing a new OS

Dodge · Answer

backup to an external if its really important,  i found out of the 2 i replaced only 1 of em had that problem and the second i replaced was fine until now (but were same brand but diff versions)

both of the oens i replaced had blown completely for various unknown reasons

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computer help: How does changing a motherboard affect your Hard Drive?

3 Answers