Upgrading the Motherboard
 

Can upgrading the motherboard to a something newer (but still compatable with my Windows) screw up some other things? I'm not sure if the other parts in my computer would be compatable with a new motherboard, since I've changed some other stuff around in it too (like graphic cards and such) and I don't want those to screw up. As long as the motherboard is compatable with my machine, will everything else work alright?

Good question, I have upgraded many motherboards and it doesnt really change the performance of the computer significantly unless you update other parts associated with the motherboard, or if there is something wrong with your current motherboard. All motherboards will be compatible with windows. The things to check for are is that it is the same socket type as your CPU, AGP or PCI for your graphics card and your motherboard interface. If it is compatible with all those, it should work. If you have any problems, you can always ask on the forum.

-C

The motherboard is the backbone to a computer, changing it is one of the riskiest things to change if you do not back up your information.

The real thing is changing from chipset to chipset, but each situation is unique. If you are going from one nForce 3 board to another nForce 3 board, I wouldn't be too worried. If you are going from a VIA K8T800 board to an nForce 3 board, I would be worried. I am only talking about Windows corruption here though, not hardware corruption.

It is near impossible to screw up your hardware. If something is not compatible, in most cases, it will not fit. If you have to use excessive force to install the hardware, I'd double check compatibility.

If ur software or hardware is not compatible with the motherboard, it is most likely not to work.

Hardware side of the upgrading shouldn't be too hard. As it's been already noted, most connections are clearly marked these days.

Software is another matter.

Well, up to Windows 98 you could change motherboard and software wouldn't care

Now with Windows XP, you might have to reinstall XP again, if something goes wrong. So backup your hardisk and go for it.

Yup it's definetly a good idea to reinstall your OS after making such a hardware change.

assuming windows autodetect gets enough out of your new mobo to get you into windows, re-installing it is not really necessary, simply install all of the drivers associated with your new one, (eg, bios updating software, raid drivers, and other things like that). Once that is completed, find your old mobo under your hardware profile:
right click my comp, properties, hardware tab, device manager.

and uninstall the drivers and components associated with it (NOTE make sure they only apply to your old one, and not the new mobo) This will remove any use of the old one and leave your new motherboard in it's place.
It isn't a huge deal to swap it out, but do be careful with the parts as you are making the switch as they are static sensitive. Also buy a good quality thermal paste such as arctic silver to put your processor back in :)