Quote Originally Posted by nrs250 View Post
A lot of people on boards seem to swap out boards like they were changing socks. I have a question.. When I get my board stable...I have tons of settings, program installs (maybe 15 must have programs for me)..bookmarks (I know these are easy to save) etc. Does everyone do a fresh OS install...What is your method for swapping out a board... Does anyone do a swap with the old install intact...i.e. a Windows Repair install. I would be fascinated because many times for me it is not the cost but the headache of losing a night's sleep having to rebuild the new board to the way I used to have it and the way I liked it.
Mate you raise a very important issue. When one considers the time it takes to configure and install everything, you'd be nuts to want to waste that time again, it can be literally days over time.

Well I have good news for you. Without wanting to sound like a viagra salesman (though PM if you want that - joke) there's a 100% reliable solution.

Acronis True Image with Universal Restore.

As long as you have made a backup using TI of your preferred setup - and if you haven't, you should have on day one anyway - ATI w UR *ALWAYS* lets you restore your Windows image to any PC hardware. Saves taking a chance. Saves reinstalling the 97-odd security updates released since XP SP2 if you use XP's Repair function. Costs money of course.

UR uses Windows' generic drivers to allow you to boot. Then soon as you install the chipset drivers everything's hunky dorey. In my case it takes 10 mins.

With respect to the person who replied to you first, because I appreciate we all use PCs differently, you'd be mad to want to reinstall all your again. It can take an age. There's no need if you have a clean reliable backup.

Peace.

Now someone help me with my PCI issue please!