-= Gametoast.com =-

If I got a new, completely different motherboard and processor, would I have to reinstall windows?
Let me go into more detail. One day, I reset my computer (press the button above power) and it showed up with my motherboard screen (BIOSTAR) then it went to the BIOS to try to boot from my drive. After that, it reset itself and just kept doing that over and over. I cleared the CMOS and it did the same thing. Now my monitor won't even work (It just has the yellow light where it should be green) but I don't think I have an on-board VGA port. I will try another graphics card, but I think the problem is in the motherboard. Since I was going to upgrade my motherboard/processor/ possibly RAM (depending on if the new motherboard supports my current RAM) I decided I would just do it now, but I heard something about having to re-install windows if I got a new motherboard and kept the same hard drive. Just so you know this is a completely customized computer, not from any company like Dell, HP, .ect, but built from parts I bought online.

Not if you buy a brand new motherboard. It'll come with the CD that has all the drivers you'll need, so you'll be covered. Put everything back together and fire it up with the CD in the drive, then allow Windows to find all the drivers.

Thanks Tean!
*Edit*
Could someone with personal experience in doing this please verify Tean's answer? Unless Tean himself has done it..
Anyway I just want to be sure that this will work as I don't have the money right now to try it out for myself

Is the motherboard still under warranty? I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer to get a replacement if it is.

Not sure but I'll look into it. Kind of want to upgrade anyway

I can 100% confirm that if you buy a NEW (it must be new obviously) motherboard that you can plug and play. You mount up the hardware, fire up Windows with the driver disc and go. The only difference would be if you're using IDE hard drives right now and the new board uses SATA, then you'll need to get a SATA drive.

I've done this many, many times. I'm always working on somebody's computer.

Oh, and *IF* you buy a new board, I STRONGLY recommend buying a motherboard/CPU combo, and paying extra to have them do the burn-in period. Lots of folks ruing a mobo/CPU don't doing all that correctly, plus you're ensured not to get a dud and have to send it back for a replacement.

Ok, thanks alot Teancum!