AM3+ CPU motherboard questions

[heptikskater]

So i just bought a new motherboard to replace with one i already have which is the Asus M5a78l-m lx3. I am replacing it with an MSI 760GA-P43 (FX). The reason for this is that my current mobo does not support my cpu but the MSI one does (in it's CPU test list at least), i have been reading reviews on it and im getting some moxed answers, all i want to know is what do i have to do to get it going (i have an old fx 4100 if that helps) so basically im looking for a few answers:
1) how do i update the bios?
2) will i need to reinstall windows?


Please be friendly i have installed everything but a motherboard in my PC

 

[WarEagleAU]

1. You should definitely re-install Windows. The reasons being is that is a major change of hardware that affects more than just the drivers Windows installs. It affects I/O, access speeds, etc. So yes, you want to re-install windows with such an upgrade. There are more reasons to do it as well such as stability issues to avoid and getting optimum settings.
2. You can update the bios in a couple of ways. Most manufacturers allows flashing the BIOS from the BIOS/UEFI menu. Download the zip file and put it on the root of a flash/thumb drive or a CD/DVD [don't recommend this]. Insert the flash drive into one of the USB ports and select BIOS flashing in your BIOS/UEFI menu. Once there click on flash BIOS and it should read the attached drives and offer an option of the one that has the file. Flash it and you should be good to go. Also, if that motherboard supports the CPU you can just install everything, re-install Windows, and then download the BIOS update and then flash in Windows.
3. http://www.msi.com/product/mb/760GA-P43--FX-.html#/?div=BIOS Link to BIOS. That's an older motherboard. If you're able go for one of these:
4. http://us.msi.com/product/mb/880GMS-E41--FX-.html
   
5. http://us.msi.com/product/mb/880GMA-E35--FX-.html

 

[Deleted member 67555]

I usually don't reinstall until the 3rd mobo change...specially not when you will be using the same chipset...Lan and Audio is usually the only problems....You will have different PCI host drivers but windows should replace them and that should take care of most I/O issues......Just saying' Win7 since SP1 will configure for major hardware changes unlike previous version of Windows within a few boot ups almost as if you installed a SP......

 

[Jetster]

Yes, do a clean install. It's as much work to not do one. So why not have the board run its best the first time? And if it works don't worry about the bios

 

[micropage7]

just check your manual, its there
if you dont reinstal it, its ok but i prefer reinstal

 

[Deleted member 67555]

The differences between the boards in this situation is cosmetic....I think altogether there is only 1 driver difference....and he has the choice to use AMD/ATI drivers or Asmedia...
This is not worth the time to do a reinstall....

He would Literally experience a larger driver change when going from the onboard GFX to a discrete GFDX card then he will go through between these boards....

 

[WarEagleAU]

That's my thing with re-installing. I've had issues with Win 7 (and Win 8) in not doing so. Probably something simple but honestly it doesn't take much time at all

 

[Bones]

That's my thing with re-installing. I've had issues with Win 7 (and Win 8) in not doing so. Probably something simple but honestly it doesn't take much time at all

+1 to the above.

It is possible to swap boards and get away with it BUT there are times when issues with the OS and the new board will happen such as driver conflicts with a different audio chipset, SATA controller, ect since different boards obviously do not use the exact same components from board to board.

I've had everything happen from no problem to an outright refusal to boot occur when I did a board swap with no fresh install of a new OS copy.

Also know that if you have Win 7 or Win 8, it stores the activation info within the boards BIOS, tying that copy to the board currently used with it. You can swap everything else around no prob but when you swap boards, it will trip the reactivation feature, requiring reactivation or a fresh install to be done.You might not have it trip the reactivation feature right away but believe me, it will sooner or later - Probrably way sooner.

Best thing to do is a fresh install of the OS BUT you can try it without doing that if you want, but just know you might run into problems once it's up and running - If it runs at all with it.

 

[Black Flag]

Uninstall all drivers, such as Network LAN, GPU, Sound Drivers and Chipset Drivers. You can then swap the motherboards.
If you are using Windows 7 or newer it's very easy. After the swap you will enter safe mode and then you can use your pc without issues.
You don't need to make a clean install but you can repair the Windows installation. It's easy and you will have a new fresh installation without losing your settings and programs.
I've done it many times with no issues. Even with Windows XP.