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Question

Upgrade or replace?

by Mar 4, 2017 6:44PM PST

Hello there! Just have a question for all you computer pros out there. About six months ago my neighbors house was struck by lightning causing it to go through the cable line. It wiped out my modem (which is replaced), and wiped out my ethernet port on my desktop. I am currently using a WiFi adapter to access the internet. So I was wondering, cause I know my port is done for, but should I buy a replacement mother board, or should I get an upgrade? I have an MSI 785GM-P45, and if I should upgrade, what should I, and/or what can I upgrade to? Thanks for any answers regarding this matter.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
one thing to consider
by Mar 4, 2017 7:56PM PST

if you upgrade the motherboard and the os you are using is oem or was upgraded from oem, then you will have to purchase a new operating system. you must replace the mb with the exact same model if you want to keep the current os.

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What if...
by m0nk3y32 Mar 5, 2017 4:14PM PST

What if I do a major back up of all of my files? I understand that a mb is not just plug and play, but just what if? Think this is an idea, or no?

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Answer
Maybe
by Mar 5, 2017 1:56AM PST
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Thanks, not going to work...
by m0nk3y32 Mar 5, 2017 4:10PM PST

I appreciate this advice a lot, and I thought about this. However, the port itself is built into the mother board. So, unfortunately while this is a fantastic idea, this will not work for my case.

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Why do you write that?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 5, 2017 5:09PM PST

I can replace onboard sound, Ethernet and such with a card. That's cheap and avoids the issues of what Windows does (it melts down) when you change motherboards.

Tell us why this won't work.

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