Anna wrote:

> You needn't fear to try to boot with the new motherboard immediately
> following its installation (including its drivers). As I've previously
> indicated, it's worth a try. I note Rock's comment, "Don't try to boot
> the
> system first just to see if it works. Run the repair install first."
> And I've come across other similar admonitions in this situation. I'm
> at a loss as to why that cautionary note is expressed so frequently. I
> have performed dozens of motherboard changes in an XP environment and
> I've never come across a *single* instance where a failed first
> attempt with a new motherboard caused any subsequent problems with the
> operating system. I've talked with other technicians about this and
> they confirm my experience. At worst you'll have to perform a Repair
> install. Anna

I'm in complete agreement with Anna about this. Why not try and boot
first? If it works, you've saved time and if it doesn't, you won't
irrevocably break anything.

Yes, chances are excellent that you *will* have to do a Repair Install.
I can't tell you how many installations of XP I've done since it came
out 4+ years ago, but I can tell you that of the very many, only one
m/b change required *nothing* - much to my amazement. In that case I
went from an older MSI/AMD to a newer MSI/AMD. I've never had that
experience again and have always had to do Repair Installs. In rare
instances - for ex. when going from an AMD processor to an Intel
processor - the Repair Install didn't work and a Clean Install was
necessary. But in either case, it isn't any big deal. Just be patient,
have your drivers, programs, and backup at hand and take frequent
breaks and deep cleansing breaths.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User