Solve : SWAPPING OUT MOBO WITHOUT WINDOWS 7 DISKS?

1.	Solve : SWAPPING OUT MOBO WITHOUT WINDOWS 7 DISKS?
Answer» I have an HP e9180t 64bit Windows 7(upgrade from Vista came free). At present the PC is not running. I had tests done at a local PC store and it is a bad mobo. The Truckee mobo in several models was determined as defective and replaced for those lucky enough to hear about the law suit against HP. I am trying to locate a new, later version mobo. I have found a few on the internet but they do not state vers #. I contacted HP and they claim there is no part# for any of the revised, or new, boards. I have heard that the mobo can be swapped out without doing a clean install. If I am using the same mobo (hopefully not defective) why would there be a problem? Wouldn't it be the same as unplugging the connectors, then plugging them back in? As long as it is the exact same mobo there should be no problem. However, as a safety net you should create an image of the drive. In fact, you should do so on a regular basis anyway. Below is something I put together a while ago for another site: Disk Imaging software takes a "snapshot" of your drive as it exists at the time you create the image. You can then restore the entire image or any file(s) or folder(s) you choose. It is a virtually foolproof way of backing up your SYSTEM and providing a safe haven in the event of a catastrophe that requires you to blow away your system partition and restore it to a previous state. It also allows you to "test" VARIOUS software and be confident that you have a the ability to return to the prior state any time you choose. I USE Acronis True Image. It is the best of breed, but it isn't free. The best free alternative is Macrium Reflect. 1) I create an image of my system partition once a WEEK to a second hard drive and keep the 2 or 3 most recent images. I also image my other partitions about once a month. I always enable "verify image" in the options. It takes a little longer, but insures a valid image. 2) I also create an image before performing any drive level function (ie, changing the size of a partition) or making any significant change to the OS (installing a service pack, upgrading IE, etc). Also sometimes before installing new software. 3) Images may be created on any medium (cd, dvd, external drive, etc). For obvious reasons they should not be stored on the same drive you are imaging. The best option is a second internal hd if you have one. 4) Images may be created "in the background" within the OS. If you need to restore the system partition, that will need to be done before the OS loads. You can start the process within the application in the OS and it will then tell you it needs to reboot to finish the process. Alternatively, you can boot to a "recovery disk" which you can create when you first install the software (or to the application disk itself if you have one). Other partitions can be restored without a reboot. Before the Fact... After the Fact I have used both methods successfully...Regarding snapshot. Wouldn't my PC need to be working? Presently it is not. I am using my OLD a350n backup PC, or was that info for future reference? Regarding info from second post on link to the WinXP swap out. Would this info still hold true for Win7? I have found a few sources on the net for MB, some are pulls, others are refurbished. Either would be OK as long as it is not the same REV as what I have. None of them state a REV # and phone or live chats did not answer the question. It makes me a little leery that sellers don't have all the info on their products and won't go the extra step of finding out. Both methods work the same for XP and 7... Quote from: Allan on April 16, 2012, 11:57:25 AM As long as it is the exact same mobo there should be no problem. Hi, jogee. I just completed the replacement of the mobo on an old Gateway Yorktown 500 XLS after a power supply meltdown. The Power supply & board were refurbished units from eBay. I had no problems with start up W/O clean install. Everything ran as before. The motherboard I purchased was the same Intel part no. as the failed board. I also had to swap the CPu from the failed unit to the replacement because it was faster. again, no problem on startup. I cannot speak to the parts situation. The advice I received was to check the P/N on my computer & hardware components & search. OH, wait, you can't. WOW Do you have a library close or can you borrow time on a computer? Unless you have a very knowlegable repairman who is chatty, you need a computer. Good luck. blithe spirits Windows XP pro SP3 Gateway Yorktown 500 XLS 3.06 GHz HT 2Gb RAM 1-40 Gb Maxtor HD 1-40 Gb Western DigitalHi blithe spirits, Fortunately I have my OLD (2004) PC for situations such as this. Drives were replaced a few years ago and, although SLOW, it works. How did you know your MB was bad? This may be a dumb ? but can just the CPU be bad and not the MB? I had a repair shop diagnostics done, is that enough to determine a Bad MB? I have the p/n for the board but I believe the replacement has a REV # that I cannot find. There is also another p/n for a MB with most of the same specs, except the BIOS is slightly higher. I have found replacements on the net ranging from $80 to over $300. I fear the cheaper ones may be pulls that could be the defective ones. If anyone knows the replacement p/n for this MB I would sure appreciate it.Hi jogee, I took my 10 yr old Gateway to a repair shop for replacement of the power supply. After replacement, it would not boot up or beep codes. That's when we were sure the MB was bad. I have a common ATX Intel D845GERG2/D845PECE board with a socket 478 P-4 CPU. The original CPU is a 3.06GHz P-4 HyperThreader. The board I bought on eBay was the cheapest match I found with a 2.4GHz P-4 CPU in it (in case mine was burned out). I installed the new board as received and it booted up. After I made sure averything was working, with some help from this forum; (see "burned out power supply & MB" in Hardware.) I replaced the 2.4GHz P-4 with my orig. 3.06GHz HT P-4. Everything worked fine when it booted. I can't speak to your ?. Maybe some else can. Did your computer give any beep codes when you turned it on? Did BIOS come up? If it did there may be some hope for the MB. If it didn't, I would go buy that MB WITH CPU to be safe. HP site says your board is a Pergatron IPMTB-TK TRUCKEE. see http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c01901210&lc=en&product=4003107 I Googled HP e9180t for help & got 7630 hits, incl. lawsuit. My advice is to keep looking for the P/N's. & check out wikipedia. for your computer & board. GEEK-9PM, PATIO & COMPUTER-COMMANDO gave me links that were helpful (for an Intel board). b.s. Hi Again, I don't recall hearing any beeps when I turned it on. My daughter left me a note saying the on button was yellow and the PC would not run. I got the yellow light then did all the unplug this, that, and the other thing and finally got a blue light. The fans come on but there is no input to the screen. That's when I went on support site and found out about all the problems and the law suit. At first I put the blame of the BSOD, freezes, restarts, etc on the 64bit, then on Win7, then on all the games my daughter downloads, never thinking a hardware problem. The link for the MB layout is the same one I got from an Ask the Experts Day EXPERT. That is suppose to be the replacement but again, no p/n, revision # or, if it has a new p/n. The specs for this one are more detailed then what I have for mine. I think the BIOS is something like 5.24 or 5.29, mine is 5.18. This one states HP/Compaq Truckee, mine is stated as HP Truckee-UL8E. I even tried the parts place recommended on HP site but they can't fine anything for HP model #, Asus or Truckee. I will continue to search.In your case, it may be less expensive to buy a new tower. Look for a used one on www.dellauctions.com Those are machines that have come off lease. You can get a decent tower (less monitor, keyboard, mouse, which you already have) for less than the cost of a new motherboard. May be a little older than yours, but do you care? If you find a motherboard later on, then you can get the HP going again. Not saying HP is bad, you just got unlucky with yours.Hey Guru, Thanks for the input. I'll check it out. A lot, and I mean a lot of people got unlucky with any PC that had this MB. I don't put all the blame on HP for the bad MB since it came from a supplier. I do think they handled the whole mess badly. Like I mentioned somewhere in my posts, I have found MB for a reasonable price but can't confirm they aren't the bad ones. I don't why HP can't give me a p/n. If they replaced MBs it must have a revision # or a new p/n. Hi jogee, http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Lockups-Freezes-Hangs/Pegatron-IPMTB-TK-motherboard-version-1-04-and-BIOS-question This is a link to an HP forum post about your machine. It mentions motherboard version 1.04E01 as the replacement. In searching, I found a lot of HP forum posts on this subject. They give a lot of malarky with not so much substance. I can see your problem. blithe spirits Hi blithe, There must be something missing in your link because it can not find anything when I try it. I have found that upgrade 1.04E mentioned a couple of times during my searches. I have not been able to find, or confirm, a MB that has that #, either on the net or by phone. I have not yet checked out the auction that Guru mentioned. If I can replace the MB for a couple hundred I would rather do that because of the upgrades. I was wondering if I contact HP for a case manger if that would help. I wouldn't have to speak with 5-6 different people and maybe, just maybe, that person could find the info I need to order a MB.

Answer»

I have an HP e9180t 64bit Windows 7(upgrade from Vista came free).

At present the PC is not running. I had tests done at a local PC store and it is a bad mobo.

The Truckee mobo in several models was determined as defective and replaced for those lucky enough to hear about the law suit against HP.

I am trying to locate a new, later version mobo. I have found a few on the internet but they do not state vers #. I contacted HP and they claim there is no part# for any of the revised, or new, boards.

I have heard that the mobo can be swapped out without doing a clean install. If I am using the same mobo (hopefully not defective) why would there be a problem? Wouldn't it be the same as unplugging the connectors, then plugging them back in?

As long as it is the exact same mobo there should be no problem. However, as a safety net you should create an image of the drive. In fact, you should do so on a regular basis anyway. Below is something I put together a while ago for another site:

Disk Imaging software takes a "snapshot" of your drive as it exists at the time you create the image. You can then restore the entire image or any file(s) or folder(s) you choose. It is a virtually foolproof way of backing up your SYSTEM and providing a safe haven in the event of a catastrophe that requires you to blow away your system partition and restore it to a previous state. It also allows you to "test" VARIOUS software and be confident that you have a the ability to return to the prior state any time you choose.

I USE Acronis True Image. It is the best of breed, but it isn't free. The best free alternative is Macrium Reflect.

1) I create an image of my system partition once a WEEK to a second hard drive and keep the 2 or 3 most recent images. I also image my other partitions about once a month. I always enable "verify image" in the options. It takes a little longer, but insures a valid image.

2) I also create an image before performing any drive level function (ie, changing the size of a partition) or making any significant change to the OS (installing a service pack, upgrading IE, etc). Also sometimes before installing new software.

3) Images may be created on any medium (cd, dvd, external drive, etc). For obvious reasons they should not be stored on the same drive you are imaging. The best option is a second internal hd if you have one.

4) Images may be created "in the background" within the OS. If you need to restore the system partition, that will need to be done before the OS loads. You can start the process within the application in the OS and it will then tell you it needs to reboot to finish the process. Alternatively, you can boot to a "recovery disk" which you can create when you first install the software (or to the application disk itself if you have one). Other partitions can be restored without a reboot.
Before the Fact...

After the Fact

I have used both methods successfully...Regarding snapshot. Wouldn't my PC need to be working? Presently it is not. I am using my OLD a350n backup PC, or was that info for future reference?

Regarding info from second post on link to the WinXP swap out. Would this info still hold true for Win7?

I have found a few sources on the net for MB, some are pulls, others are refurbished. Either would be OK as long as it is not the same REV as what I have. None of them state a REV # and phone or live chats did not answer the question. It makes me a little leery that sellers don't have all the info on their products and won't go the extra step of finding out. Both methods work the same for XP and 7... Quote from: Allan on April 16, 2012, 11:57:25 AM

As long as it is the exact same mobo there should be no problem.

Hi, jogee. I just completed the replacement of the mobo on an old Gateway Yorktown 500 XLS after a power supply meltdown. The Power supply & board were refurbished units from eBay. I had no problems with start up W/O clean install. Everything ran as before. The motherboard I purchased was the same Intel part no. as the failed board. I also had to swap the CPu from the failed unit to the replacement because it was faster. again, no problem on startup.
I cannot speak to the parts situation. The advice I received was to check the P/N on my computer & hardware components & search. OH, wait, you can't. WOW Do you have a library close or can you borrow time on a computer? Unless you have a very knowlegable repairman who is chatty, you need a computer. Good luck.

blithe spirits
Windows XP pro SP3
Gateway Yorktown 500 XLS 3.06 GHz HT
2Gb RAM
1-40 Gb Maxtor HD
1-40 Gb Western DigitalHi blithe spirits, Fortunately I have my OLD (2004) PC for situations such as this. Drives were replaced a few years ago and, although SLOW, it works.
How did you know your MB was bad? This may be a dumb ? but can just the CPU be bad and not the MB? I had a repair shop diagnostics done, is that enough to determine a Bad MB?
I have the p/n for the board but I believe the replacement has a REV # that I cannot find. There is also another p/n for a MB with most of the same specs, except the BIOS is slightly higher.
I have found replacements on the net ranging from $80 to over $300. I fear the cheaper ones may be pulls that could be the defective ones.
If anyone knows the replacement p/n for this MB I would sure appreciate it.Hi jogee,
I took my 10 yr old Gateway to a repair shop for replacement of the power supply. After replacement, it would not boot up or beep codes. That's when we were sure the MB was bad.
I have a common ATX Intel D845GERG2/D845PECE board with a socket 478 P-4 CPU. The original CPU is a 3.06GHz P-4 HyperThreader. The board I bought on eBay was the cheapest match I found with a 2.4GHz P-4 CPU in it (in case mine was burned out). I installed the new board as received and it booted up. After I made sure averything was working, with some help from this forum; (see "burned out power supply & MB" in Hardware.)
I replaced the 2.4GHz P-4 with my orig. 3.06GHz HT P-4. Everything worked fine when it booted.
I can't speak to your ?. Maybe some else can. Did your computer give any beep codes when you turned it on? Did BIOS come up? If it did there may be some hope for the MB. If it didn't, I would go buy that MB WITH CPU to be safe. HP site says your board is a Pergatron IPMTB-TK TRUCKEE. see http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c01901210&lc=en&product=4003107
I Googled HP e9180t for help & got 7630 hits, incl. lawsuit. My advice is to keep looking for the P/N's. & check out wikipedia. for your computer & board. GEEK-9PM, PATIO & COMPUTER-COMMANDO gave me links that were helpful (for an Intel board).

b.s. Hi Again,
I don't recall hearing any beeps when I turned it on. My daughter left me a note saying the on button was yellow and the PC would not run. I got the yellow light then did all the unplug this, that, and the other thing and finally got a blue light. The fans come on but there is no input to the screen. That's when I went on support site and found out about all the problems and the law suit.
At first I put the blame of the BSOD, freezes, restarts, etc on the 64bit, then on Win7, then on all the games my daughter downloads, never thinking a hardware problem.
The link for the MB layout is the same one I got from an Ask the Experts Day EXPERT. That is suppose to be the replacement but again, no p/n, revision # or, if it has a new p/n. The specs for this one are more detailed then what I have for mine. I think the BIOS is something like 5.24 or 5.29, mine is 5.18. This one states HP/Compaq Truckee, mine is stated as HP Truckee-UL8E.
I even tried the parts place recommended on HP site but they can't fine anything for HP model #, Asus or Truckee.
I will continue to search.In your case, it may be less expensive to buy a new tower. Look for a used one on www.dellauctions.com
Those are machines that have come off lease. You can get a decent tower (less monitor, keyboard, mouse, which you already have) for less than the cost of a new motherboard. May be a little older than yours, but do you care? If you find a motherboard later on, then you can get the HP going again.

Not saying HP is bad, you just got unlucky with yours.Hey Guru,
Thanks for the input. I'll check it out.
A lot, and I mean a lot of people got unlucky with any PC that had this MB. I don't put all the blame on HP for the bad MB since it came from a supplier. I do think they handled the whole mess badly.
Like I mentioned somewhere in my posts, I have found MB for a reasonable price but can't confirm they aren't the bad ones. I don't why HP can't give me a p/n. If they replaced MBs it must have a revision # or a new p/n. Hi jogee,

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Lockups-Freezes-Hangs/Pegatron-IPMTB-TK-motherboard-version-1-04-and-BIOS-question

This is a link to an HP forum post about your machine. It mentions motherboard version 1.04E01 as the replacement. In searching, I found a lot of HP forum posts on this subject. They give a lot of malarky with not so much substance. I can see your problem.

blithe spirits Hi blithe,
There must be something missing in your link because it can not find anything when I try it.
I have found that upgrade 1.04E mentioned a couple of times during my searches. I have not been able to find, or confirm, a MB that has that #, either on the net or by phone.
I have not yet checked out the auction that Guru mentioned. If I can replace the MB for a couple hundred I would rather do that because of the upgrades.
I was wondering if I contact HP for a case manger if that would help. I wouldn't have to speak with 5-6 different people and maybe, just maybe, that person could find the info I need to order a MB.

Solve : SWAPPING OUT MOBO WITHOUT WINDOWS 7 DISKS?

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

Reply to Comment