Complete NOOB needs mainboard help.

[Andy3536]

I'm looking to upgrade my pc, when looking into a new graghics card i realised the 24 pin mainboard connector was in line with the pci e x 16 slot, which means trying to put a decent card in the pcie slot would have to be made of rubber and bend round the power connector .
So i'm thinking new mainboard, it's somthing i've never done and don't entirly know what it involves, it is also somthing which i would like to do myself as i'm on a quest for knowledge.
So quite simply, after you repace the mainboard, what do you do? is it complicated? I do understand that a new proccessor and ram will be needed but have done that before.
Thanks in advance for any help, please remember we all have to start somewhere

[mrt9888]

When you install the motherboard you connect the power button, LEDs etc, processor RAM... install the OS and drivers so its not hard. The motherboard will have instructions.

[Andy3536]

So you do need to re-install the operating system, even if the hard drive remains the same?
As my pc was shop bought i don't have the operating system discs if i was to buy an upgraded OP i.e. Vista 64bit version, could i just replace the new main board and install vista in the same way. Or is there a way to put existing OP back without the discs, i.e. from the hard drive or a boot disc.
Many thanks for the reply!

[Dreaming]

What mainboard do you have Andy? You can use belarc advisor to find out quickly and easily (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html). I know some aren't great for positioning but maybe you will be able to fit it in?

And when you upgrade the motherboard generally you do have to reinstall everything. Although it is possible not to, it's not garunteed your system will work afterwards!

[Andy3536]

PTGD1-LA (GROUPER) (you'll have to google it)
Sorry no url's allowed under 5 posts but image availabe from HP (compaq) website.


If you look at the layout for the mainboard you can see that the 24 pin connector is directly behind the pci e slot and means that any high end graghics card will not sit down into possition.
It's a bit of a pain, not having any operating system discs it sounds like i can't really do it any way.
sounds like it would be easier to build a pc from scratch, don't really know how to do that either though!
Is there really no other way?
I don't think putting a PC together will cause me any problems but it's when the power goes on for the first time i'll become lost, does anyone know of information available on the net that will walk me through. i.e. partitioning hard drives mabee running 2, and then installing operating system and drivers, or is this info available with the OS and mainboard when you buy them? Have had a look but all info seems to be on putting pc together which in my opinion is the easy part.

[mrt9888]

What graphics card are you thinking of upgrading to because smaller graphics cards can fit such as http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=457256

[Andy3536]

I have a 7600 at the minute but want a high end graghics card and these are mid range, if you look at nearlly all the cards up from a 7600 they become quite long even the 7800's and the 7900's all have the pcb extending a long way back from the end of the pcie connection. It would look to me as though the 7600 is the best that will fit on my mainboard. Anything up from the 7600's seem to have the same length as the 8800's. so if i could hack saw my way through the 24 pin molex i could fit an 8800.

[tigerboyce]

The problem with upgrading to a new motherboard you either have to reformat and install the OS, or do a repair install.

This mean that you will need the OS CD, im guessing your running windows XP, and as you have sid that you have never done this before it sounds as though you didnt build the PC yourself and manafactures rarely give the os CD out.

so you will need a cd to do it.

I would say the best option would be to back up all of your data onto a DVD-R or an external HDD if you have it and then just do a Fresh formattedinstall as your PC will also be nice and clean

[Andy3536]

Yes your right, i'm running xp on a compaq presario bought from pc world about 2 years ago!
I don't really want to run the chance of loosing whats on my pc so would be interested in building a new pc to use for games and the other for all other things like downloading web browsing etc. But most of the information i seem to come accross on the internet is about building a pc as oppossed to what you do once it's built. Does anyone know of a good net site or book that will give you info on building and installing a new pc? Preferebly one that is up to date and includes vista. The only one i've come accross so far was vauge and said make sure you install at least a pentium3! Help much appreciated.

[Andy3536]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=468058&dlc=en

Am up to 5 posts now so take a look at the offending motherboard!

[merdat]

I can see the problem ! - most of these new cards extend well beyond the motherboard nevermind the power socket. You would have to get a list of the graphics card that you want to use and see if any manu does a 'shorter one' .

[PieEater]

There's plenty of guides on how to change your motherboard whilst retaining your original windows install here's the first one Google picked out for me;

http://www.theeldergeek.com/replace_motherboard.htm

I throw Windows XP (Pro) CD's away all the time at work so if you need one I don't see why I cant send you one (PM me if interested). If you have XP Home I'm not sure if the Pro CD will work, you'll need to check into that.

[Andy3536]

Thanks for the responces guys!
Pie eater thancks very much for the offer of a disc but i'm using XP Home. And there is one thing from the link that troubles me.
"If you are contemplating replacing the motherboard in an OEM system with anything other than an exact replacement OEM motherboard this procedure is likely going to fail."
As i would be using a completly different mainboard i guessing this will not work.
This is why i've now turned towards making my own pc and leaving this one the way it is. At least if i make my own, things like re-installing the operating system will be much easier, what with actually having the discs.
I use my pc quite a bit and am thinking building and installing my own would also mean i have a better idea when things go wrong. What i need to know for that though is what to do once the pc is built and you switch the thing on for the first time.
I have ordered this book last night from play.com http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/9...C/Product.html
But open to any suggestions of a good book or website that would give me information on building and installing a new pc.

[tigerboyce]

I throw Windows XP (Pro) CD's away all the time at work so if you need one I don't see why I cant send you one (PM me if interested). If you have XP Home I'm not sure if the Pro CD will work, you'll need to check into that.

Unfortunatly, it wont work, you need the matching CD for the OS, e.g xp Home for XP home, Pro for Pro etc.etc


Andy that book looks ok as its dated 2006, but i dont think you will find anything better then web pages as books will never keep up to date. A good website i used is:

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

For selecting components, i would either drop a post in the Hexus Hardstuff forum with your price range and what you are looking for, or have a look on other forums as some others have great guides on what components are good value.
When you think you know what you are looking for i would then have a go at reading some reviews and then get buying!

To answer Your question in brief, after turning it on you will firstly check for any signs that things are not working, usually beeps indicating errors but everything should be fine. Then you need to install The Operating system. next Chipset drivers, Graphics card drivers, and run windows update. Then you will need to go around installing drivers for the things you need, software, prehipheals etc.
The link above will explain it all in detail

good luck

[Andy3536]

Thanks tiger!
You make it sound so easy

The book i ordered is dated 2006 but that is also the newest book they have.
Website looks very interesting, i'll have a read.
Thanks again!

[tigerboyce]

Dont worry at all, it IS easy