Is this possible ?(PC question).

[theredstar]

I was looking to upgrade my PC with a Radeon 9500 and some DDR memory.

Unfortunately, I've found my motherboard (a Chaintech CT-7 AJA2E) doesn't support DDR (despite being only 12 months old).
Therefore, I'm thinking of going for a new motherboard at the same time.

Can anyone:

Recommend a decent motherboard (Athlon - I've currently got a 1700+, but I'd like the board to support something better for later upgrades).

And:

I don't want to reinstall Windows and all my games. If I put a new motherboard in will XP recognise it and work, or will it just curl up and die? Am I best to uninstall all hardware via system manager and let Plug and Play do it's best. Or is this just not possible?

[g-funk]

If your gonna uprgrade so much hardware, especially a new Mobo you will really have to re-install Windows. If you don't then your gonna be looking at a lot of conflicts etc. and you won't get anywhere near the performance you will get after a re-install.

If your after a new motherboard then I'd recommend an Asus board, I've been using an Asus board for my last few PC's and they are rock solid.

[yashiro]

I don't want to reinstall Windows and all my games. If I put a new motherboard in will XP recognise it and work, or will it just curl up and die? Am I best to uninstall all hardware via system manager and let Plug and Play do it's best. Or is this just not possible?

It may work but the chances of not having problems later are slim. XP is NT, it gets really pissy when you dick about with the motherboard (north/south bridges). A suggested method is to use the windows backup tool: create a system image, clean install windows on the new hardware, then restore this image. This often fails though. :/

For your own sanity you need to start again from scratch mate.
It's less hassle in the end and a good system clean is good for you anyway - just backup all your important data first.

[srgbilco]

If you're after a mobo, I'd have to recommend looking at http://www.computerprices.co.uk . They've saved me a pretty penny for lots of hardware stuff.

[wod]

also look for a motherboard that will take the athlon processors that run at 333 /400 fsb so you have upgradability and i get one that has agp8x so it'll work with graphic cards later on.

plus its always better to reinstall windows to stop any problems you might have

[Ciaran]

If your buying a AMD motherboard you should get a Nforce 2 motherboard. I'm currently running an ABIT NF7-S with a 1800+ @ 2.2Ghz with a FSB200 (DDR400) and I haven't had a single problem. Highly reccomended.

For a review of some Nforce 2 motherboards go HERE

[?pint]

However, you won't be able to reinstall Windows XP if you use a new mo'bo. I seem to remember a thread a few months ago about the money grabbing Micro$oft making people fork out for another copy of the OS when they upgraded their Motherboard.

[srgbilco]

However, you won't be able to reinstall Windows XP if you use a new mo'bo. I seem to remember a thread a few months ago about the money grabbing Micro$oft making people fork out for another copy of the OS when they upgraded their Motherboard.

I think that was only if they had an OEM, given with their PC version of Windows.

[theredstar]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I'll be doing a reinstall of XP then. Arse.

But if I'm doing that then I amy as well upgrade some other components at the same time. And a new case would be nice. And I've fancied a TFT monitor for a while. And a DVD writer would be useful.

Spends bonus. Girlfriend leaves

New PC arrives