Move HDD to different type of motherboard(new/old) without reinstall/ format

I know out there a lot of users do not know this easy trick would work and save a lot of times for reinstalling O/S, drivers and applications . Yea.. maybe some of the users prefer format when they change new motherbaord . Anyway.. here is the shortcut.



Finally I found out the answer. SATA HDD will work, BUT it is depending on your motherboard whether support SATA to IDE conversion or not (not sure what is this technology call). Most of the new mobo will support it. Which mean you're NOT require to install SATA Raid Controller by pressing F6 during Windows installation . What I mean is your mobo can detect your SATA HDD as normal IDE HDD display on bootup then you can use this method.


NOTE: Make sure you back up all your data before you start. Print this instruction into a piece of paper before you start. Do it at your own risk. I would not take any responsibilities if your system crashes.

1. Before you change the motherboard, uninstall all your motherboard chipset driver, graphic card driver, network card driver, and etc... incase the driver conflict. Or clean your driver with DriverCleaner.

2. Before you take out the HDD, go to Device Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in Start > Run --> find IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers --> right click the XXX PCI IDE Controler and Update driver.

Please refer to the attached picture if you not sure which to update. Different motherboard has different chipset driver. Mine is SiS PCI IDE Controller

[attachmentid=137626]

NOTE: DO NOT UNINSTALL THE PRIMARY IDE CHANNEL & SECONDARY IDE CHANNEL

3. Please look at the picture attached how to update driver
(a) Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)


(b) Select Don't search. I will choose the driver and install


© Select Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller


(d) Click No to restart machine


4. After update your IDE controller now you can shut down your system and start move the HDD into another system or change motherboard.

5. Once you turn on the system you must boot into Safe Mode by pressing F8 --> Wait about 5-10 minutes and let the system auto install the neccessary drivers.

6. After finish install driver you can boot to normal windows and install the rest of the drivers.

7. Scan for your system error with 3rd party softwares like Norton WinDoctor, TuneUp Utilities, Registry Mechanic and etc..

8. Done!

These instruction tested on 100+ of machines and it works perfectly.

Applies to O/S:
- Windows 2000 Professional Edition
- Windows XP Home Edition
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (Re-activation is required)
(All of the above with and/or without Service Packs)

Applies to hardware:
- Any processor
- Any desktop motherboard
- Any ATA & SATA hard disk

Not applies to:
- All Laptops
- All Servers

Please private message me if I did any mistake here. hehe! I apologize for my poor english..

Good luck!

This post has been edited by lighter: Nov 24 2006, 11:41 PM


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