Do i need to install OS again to hard drive if I change processors and motherboard?

OK. So here's the thing. I'm using this computer at home that is pretty old. I think I got it from back in 2005 or 2006.

I learned from a few friends how to put together a custom computer, and i wanted to replace some parts on my old computer. I wanted to replace the motherboard, processor, RAM, and give the system a new graphics card, (and depending on how much power it uses, I may have to give it a new PSU)

Currently it uses an AMD Athlon dual core @ 2.0 GHz and has 1 GB of RAM, and I find myself being unable to do much multi tasking on it.



But, i wanted to know. If i do replace the CPU, MoBo, and ram, but leave the hard drive as is, could I just use it as it was, or is it gonna ask me to format the hard disk and install an OS?

I don't have an OS disk, so I was just wondering if I could just resume using my computer from where I left off or not.Do i need to install OS again to hard drive if I change processors and motherboard?Unfortunately, no. You have specific drivers for one motherboard, and when you replace the motherboard, the operating system will give problems because it does not detect the same hardware. But it is always better to do a clean reinstall, your computer will run faster and smoother.

Although problem is, you do not have the OS disk. So your only other option is to buy Windows 7, or to download Linux.Do i need to install OS again to hard drive if I change processors and motherboard?yes you need to install againDo i need to install OS again to hard drive if I change processors and motherboard?Hi ! After changing the Mobo, the new motherboard will be having new drivers for the hardware it has on it, like audio and VGA ... Hence, I suppose if you try to boot using the old OS, you will get a BSOD error ... Better reinstall the OS .. Take backups from OS drive right now ...Do i need to install OS again to hard drive if I change processors and motherboard?It depends on the operating system, which you didn't tell us.



Update: Vista's actually pretty good. The two biggest issues are: 1) If you go from a single core to a multi-core, you have to manually change the HAL. 2) You need to install the drivers for the system drive on the old machine before you change hardware if they differ. (Or you need to use a special tool to do this, such as Acronis Universal Restore.)