What to do before changing motherboard

1.    New 18 Jan 2021 #1

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   • Do I need to prep to replace motherboard?
   • How do I prepare my computer for a new motherboard?
   • Can you just replace a motherboard?
   • Will I lose everything if I change motherboard?

   Do I need to prep to replace motherboard?

   
   I'm replacing my motherboard and watched a video saying we don't need to reload windows ten like previous windows additions. But I'm unclear if we need any prep work before attempting the upgrade. Like, will any of my data from my SSD get wiped? I have a second SSD for saved games, will any of the data get wiped or become unusable, etc...?

   My specs;
   - MB; AB350 Gaming --> X570
   - CPU; Ryzen 7 3700X
   - Operating System; Windows 10 (64-bit)

   Let me know if you need more information. I'm concerned that I'll need to do a bios update like with my current motherboard. I had to download the bios update onto a thumb drive and do the bios update before I could attempt to load windows 10 (my first use of windows 10).

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2.    New 18 Jan 2021 #2

   
   That's a pretty difficult question to answer, I'll need to speak largely in generalities here.

   Typically, if the new MB is somewhat similar (uses chipset in roughly the same family, similar CPU, etc.) you should be okay with a motherboard swap.

   However, a good strategy, is to use a program such as Macrium reflect to save a Disk Image of your OS drive, and then restore that image on the new hardware. This is because programs such as Macrium Reflect are designed specifically to accommodate restoration of an image to dissimilar hardware.

   You might try a sort of hybrid strategy like this:

   1) Create a disk image backup (just in case)
   2) Swap the motherboard.
   3) Fire it up
   4) If all is okay, great! No further action required.
   5) Not so good? Try restoring the backed up image.

   As for other drives, if you are using plain standard SATA drives that are not connected in a RAID configuration, you should be just fine. The reason that I say this is that different RAID controllers may format drives differently so disks moved from one RAID controller to a different model may not necessarily be recognized. Otherwise, you should be fine.

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4.    New 18 Jan 2021 #3

   
   The old steadfast rule of thumb was/is; when changing cpu and mobo, especially the mobo.....you have to do a clean install. For us old timers.....that's what we do (I always do that).

   Now, with windows 10 20H1 (I'm not sure what version of 10 it actually started with), but as you stated, you can just move your HDD/SSD to new build and then on boot up you'll get a window asking you changed hardware and would like to use the new hardware....something to that effect. Select yes and 99% of the time you're golden. I did it when I got my old Intel system up and running. I just took my old PC and handed it down to my son, popped in a new HDD, Installed 8.1 (to upgrade him to 10), and got said message and said yes and bingo.....8.1 was installed, then I updated 8.1 to 10. It all went smoothly.

   As for my resurrected Intel build....I did a clean install....always have and always will. That's just me.

   FYI....you have to watch out for the 1% as it will bite you in the A$$. Then you're doing a clean install.

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5.    New 18 Jan 2021 #4

   
   Typically there are two roadblocks to overcome when moving Windows 10 to a different computer, both of which can be overcome.

   1. UEFI v. Legacy BIOS (CSM). If both computers are booting in the same mode, no problem. If one is legacy BIOS and the other is UEFI, then you will need to convert your drive to boot in the target computers mode (which is UEFI for modern motherboards)

   2. Disk controller mode, IDE v. AHCI v. RAID. As @hsehestedt stated, RAID is the biggest problem.

   In order to prevent complications with item 2, I would suggest you set Windows 10 to boot in safe mode before you move the OS to the new motherboard. To do this, press Win + R. In the run dialog box enter: msconfig. Click on boot tab, then check the box for Safe Mode. Leave Minimal selected. Check the box for "Make all boot settings permanent" and then OK. When you shutdown the old computer for the last time, hold down the shift key when you click on shutdown.

   When you boot the computer for the first time, Windows will boot into safe mode. Go back into msconfig like you did before, uncheck the box for safe mode, make sure "Make all boot settings permanent" is checked again. Click OK and reboot.

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7.    New 18 Jan 2021 #5

   
   Yep....I forgot about that.....excellent point NavyLCDR. Go 5.0!!!!!

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8.    New 18 Jan 2021 #6

   
   

   NavyLCDR said:

   Typically there are two roadblocks;1. UEFI v. Legacy BIOS (CSM).2. Disk controller mode, IDE v. AHCI v. RAID. As @hsehestedt stated, RAID is the biggest problem.
   

   My current AB350 Gaming uses UEFI. How do I find what disk controller I use? Based on this article I think I'm using ATAPI, maybe.... In "System Information" under "System drivers" I see ATAPI with description; IDE Channel. Is this what I'm looking for?

   and the mother board I got is this one. Is it listed anywhere what bios and Disk Controller is being used on the motherboard?

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9.    New 18 Jan 2021 #7

   
   SATA controller mode is a setting in BIOS. The common choices are IDE, AHCI, and RAID. Most home users will want AHCI. You can get a clue by looking in device manager:

   

   Mine shows I am set for AHCI mode because the AHCI driver is loaded. If you current BIOS is set to IDE and it has AHCI available, I would recommend changing now. You set Windows 10 to boot in safe mode. Shut down the computer. Boot into BIOS settings, change from IDE to AHCI mode. Reboot into Windows 10 safe mode, disable safe mode, reboot again.

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10.    New 18 Jan 2021 #8

    
    Ok, I'm using "Standard SATA AHCI Controller"

    Where do I find online, what my new mother board is using. I don't see it listed on Asus's site.

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11.    New 18 Jan 2021 #9

    
    

    Fool said:

    Ok, I'm using "Standard SATA AHCI Controller"

    Where do I find online, what my new mother board is using. I don't see it listed on Asus's site.

    On your new motherboard, it is more than likely AHCI by default. But if Windows 10 doesn't boot up on the new motherboard, go into BIOS settings and check the SATA controller mode. A few motherboards do default to RAID (God only knows why).

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12.    New 18 Jan 2021 #10

    
    First things first.... always backup before doing any major maintenance or changes.

    Second, get all the latest drivers needed for the board from the board's site.

    With that I've swapped out motherboards plenty of times and posted about my builds here and here.

    As long as you're not switching from UEFI to Legacy or vice versa you should be fine. A motherboard swap should be fine, and not require an OS reinstall. That said, it's usually advisable to reinstall the OS anytime you swap motherboards, but I can tell you I've not always done this, and things worked out just fine, especially with Windows 10.

    Again, before doing anything backup!!! This way if something goes wrong, you won't lose your critical data.

    Good luck.

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How do I prepare my computer for a new motherboard?

Can you just replace a motherboard?

Will I lose everything if I change motherboard?