Swaping/Testing new motherboard. Existing OS install question.

[D-Cyph3r]

Ok, short and sweet I got a Rampage Formula delivered today and it looks like DHL had a kick about in the depot parking lot before delivering it, with 1 of the aluminum fins and the clear CMOS button both being loose in the anti-static bag when I opened it up.

Obviously I want to know if the board is still functioning but I hadn't planned on rebuilding my machine (currently P5E3 Deluxe and DDR3) for a few weeks yet. This presents the obvious problem of that, when I do come to rebuilding, if I find out the board is dead I would have long passed the 14 day window the etailer offers for returns.

I know that if I simply switched over my board and ram on my machine windows would throw a hissy fit and demand re-activation, but if I literally swapped the boards(+RAM) to only post, check BIOS settings and load windows (confirming the board works) would windows still give me issues after switching back to the P5E3 or will it say "oh thats better, carry on".

Thanks in advance lads.

[Russ_64]

Just don't connect your HDD - you don't need it to POST or use an old HDD if you want to install test version of Windows.

[D-Cyph3r]

Awesome, just what I wanted to hear. Thanks mate.