upgrading motherboard need reformatting?

[catax]

hi, recently i've been thinking about upgrading my mobo and im wondering if these changes will require me to reformat my hd. i rly dont wanna reformat my HD cause i dont have a windows install cd (lol). here's what im planning on

i wanna upgrade my 775 intel motherboard to an SLi mobo with the same socket.
im not changing the CPU, just the board.

so any ideas if i would need to reformat my hd? thank you

 

[Merkwürdigeliebe]

Well what are you full system specs? Maybe that move might not be quite a good idea...

 

[peterhuang913]

Uninstall all the drivers for the mobo before you change it. Then when you have changed it, you can do a windows repair.

You don't have to reinstall, but wouldn't having a fresh windows be better anyways?

 

[catax]

i have

p4m800pro mobo
intel core2 6400 2.13g
2gb 800mhz dd2 ram
e-geforce 7800 gs 256mb agp
160g + 300g ide HD

does this help anybit?

well i suppose i should be upgrading to SATA by now... so reformat/new hd samething lol

 

[Trotter]

Read this article:
Ten Tips for Easy Motherboard Upgrades--ExtremeTech How-To

It will help you out in this situation. You may be able to get away with not having to reinstall.

 

[catax]

well i read the article trotter posted, and i'm confused about the part where i have to resintall windows, so im wondering if anyone can give me advises.

right now ,i want to upgrade only my mother board-- according to the system specs i gave, and to dual pci-e graphic cards. CPU im not changing anytime soon, but i would just like to know if i ned to resintall windows that way. i don't have windows install cd or floppy drive connected (not working correctly for some reason). and if it happens to ask me to resintall windows after i put the new mobo in.. im might have to end up buying a new OS.

so can anyone tell me if i would need to resintall? if i do.. ill just wait till i have more money to upgrade everything. thank u

 

[carnageX]

If you need an OS disc, just browse the torrents for one. Downloading the CD is legal as long as you have a valid serial (like the one that's on the sticker on your case or wherever).