BleepingComputer.com: Question About Installing An Os With New Motherboard

A couple of my friends both had their motherboards fry (pretty weird). They are getting new motherboards back, and I was just wondering what they have to do? I've heard of having to reformat the hard drive, and was wondering if they would have to totally reformat it or they could just reinstall windows keeping their other files? Also, I heard that you have to verify windows? What does this mean and is it true? Thanks!

See if this is helpful to you.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?art...1755&page=5

If these are of the shelf machines, such as hp or Dell, the replacement motherboard should be identical, and the machine will just restart with no problem. If it is an upgrade or different mainboard, see the Queen-Evie's link or follow this How to perform a windows xp repair install

Thanks for the replies! Actually both computers are custom builts, and both have vista. I take it the process is same with vista as with xp. One of my friends might be in luck since his motherboard died the day after he built the computer, and he hadn't activated windows yet (it gives you 3 days until you have to).

SInce they are both custom machines, and both have vista, try this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/windows-xp-system-restore-guide/


also, this seems to work: http://vistasupport.mvps.org/windows_vista...air_options.htm

This procedure has worked for me in the past:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html