Laptop series dv9410us - Repair Vista after Motherboard Replacement - instead of reinstalling?

[eagardener]

Laptop series dv9410us. Screen black. No boot up. Hp has agreed to repair for free.

I do have a question. I tried to back up my personal information the day before the blackout, but received a message that the backup had failed. So, no backup of some seriously important files. 

My questions are:

1. When the motherboard is replaced, is it neccessary to do a full install of the operating system?

2. I have found a Microsoft article that suggests after the motherboard install, the neccessary changes for the system to be again compatable with the operating system can be done by following the directions in the article: i.e. doing a "Repair" as opposed to a full reinstallation of the operating system. Here's the article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125/en-us

3. I know, it addresses the situation from the perspective of an XP repair, but if a similar process can be done with Vista, personal data would not have to be eradicated for the sake of a complete reinstallation of the OS. If the changes could be made while the computer is in safe mode, could the personal data be left intact?

4. Can this be accomplished at the time of the motherboard repair - when the laptop is being serviced?

My entire business information and thousands of product photographs hang in the balance.

[Daniel_Potyrala]

Hi,

It depends what changes have been made by service. Have You got from them the same model of motherboard.

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

The MS article is referring to a change in hardware specs..for instance if someone upgraded their motherboard with one with different Chipset,Audio,etc. Your motherboard will be replaced with one that is the same ,maybe a newer revision.

You should be aware that sometimes HP Service runs Recovery and restores the machine back to factory specs, and no they don't back up your files first. It is always recommended to backup important files before sendin a notebook in.

If you have things that you must have, I would pick up a USB hdd enclosure or Adapter to attach the hdd to another pc and copy them.

[eagardener]

Sounds good. I'll give it a shot.

Thank you very much!

[eagardener]

A thousand thanks for informing me about the hard disk enclosure. I purchased one and managed to salvage both my business information and an important literary work - virtually years of poetry.

I also made a complete copy of the hard disk, OS and all, and have it saved for re-installation when my laptop returns from repair.

Here are two excellent enclosures:

For your Laptop: http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTkzMQ==
Comes with enclosure and USB connector.

For your Desktop: http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NDg=
Comes with enclosure, connectors, installation disc.

Both are available at www.amazon.com. and cost less than 60.00 for both.

If you have OEM operating systems, programs you love - but have lost the disks for, or OEM programs that cannot be restored because discs are lost or damaged, you might want to back up the entire operating system and associated programs on the disk to either the hard drive on a different computer, a set of disks, or an external drive.

You'll need a simple, effective program to do this. Here's a great one:

Macrium Reflect - http://www.macrium.com/default.asp Cost is 40.00

Again, you cannot imagine how grateful I really am. Thank you!!!!

[CherylG]

You're welcome,glad you were able to save your data.At times HP returns the notebook  with original hdd and data intact, but too many times we have seen posters who received it back recoverd to factory specs.I would never send mine in without backing up data.

As a plus you now have an enclosure for which you could buy an extra hdd and use it for regular backups.

[eagardener]

Absolutely! You've opened me up a whole new world of storage possibilities.

You're a peach, kiddo!

;-)