Thank you Russ and others--
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russ Poffenberger" <[log in to unmask]>

If done very carefully, you may be able to upgrade easier than you think. I
have upgraded computers several times, and Win 2K/XP does a pretty good job
of detecting and re-configuring the new hardware. HOWEVER, where the process
can go terribly wrong is the one hardware piece it simply cannot deal with,
and that is the disk controller. It needs to load the disk controller driver
and switch from the basic low level disk access very early on in the boot
process. If the proper disk driver is not loaded, then you get the infamous
"Inaccessible boot device" stop code. This is the one thing that usually is
different between motherboards too.

One technique that has worked well for me in the past is to just before
shutting down for the last time on the old motherboard, is to un-install the
motherboard/chipset specific disk controller, and install a generic IDE disk
controller from Microsoft.
----------end original--------------------

I may have almost forgotten about the motherboard/chipset drivers
until opening the new motherboard box, but your suggestion is very
good. I don't suppose it would be a good idea to run the new board's
driver disk setup routine before swapping the parts (with no restart,
of course)? or would that make the changeover equally likely to gag?

Paul A. Shippert
Library Media Specialist
Margaret Brent Middle School
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