How to keep data on HD after motherboard replacement

Question

I have a 2-3 year old Dimension 4600 and apparently the motherboard has just died. Is there a way to replace the motherboard without losing all the info on the HD? If so, please enlighten me.

osprey4 · Answer

Replacing the motherboard has no impact on the data that's on your hard drive. As long as it's a like-for-like motherboard swap, the old Windows installation should run.

osprey4 · Answer

Yes, good point. A good backup is essential.

ejn63 · Answer

Yes, if you use the exact same board you have now. A better strategy: mount the drive in a working system, or into an external case, attach to a working system and copy your data for backup. Then proceed with the repair.

loken833 · Answer

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to try the same for same swap. Hopefully I'll be able to find a replacement motherboard.

shesagordie · Answer

loken833

There are at least 3 different D-4600 motherboards:

2Y832 - has Audio/Video
N2828 - has integrated graphics, works with or without AGP video card
F4491 - has integrated graphics and Dell said, has Prescott CPU support.

Bev.

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mombodog · Answer

Try eBay   http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=dimension+4600+motherboard&category0=   Find the Dell part number on your current mobo, the first part of the long string of numbers is the mobo number you need to compare to the ones for sale. Example  '2y832'

Storage, Drives & Media

How to keep data on HD after motherboard replacement

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