Windows XP and replacing motherboard on laptop

I have a Gateway laptop that lost all power and after thorough
troubleshooting I determined that the motherboard is the problem (no voltage
to the fans, etc.).
I want to order a replacement MB but the last time that I replaced a MB (on
my old desktop) there was a conflict with the new MB and and hard drive so I
eventually had to reinstall Windows XP. I'm repairing this laptop for a
friend and she is hoping to keep everything on her hard drive but I'm afraid
that I will run into the same problem as before where I might have to do an
Windows reinstall.

Any insight and knowledge would be greatly appreciated

 

you should be fine, desktops can take a host of other motherboards, but laptops have one specific one that fits in it. The OS shouldn't even notice anything is different. You should be fine, however in the off chance that something goes drasticaly wrong and you bsod, stop, and buy a IDE to USB adapter and transfer all of the pictures and documents to another media before reformating. Good luck

 

TheSunscreen is correct. With so many desk top mobos to choose from most people try a new motherboard when replacement is necessary. Your drivers are stored on your hard drive. When trying to load onto a different mobo, they will cause a conflict and lot of BOSD. If you are replacing the laptop motherboard, you most likely will be getting the identical board so shouldn't have a problem. However, whenever making a major change to a computer always advisable to do a backup, save a lot of time and frustration later on.