mobo compatability

My old XP3 machine died-several mobo, a msi k9a2gm-fih, capacitors are bulging which I suspect is causing the issue. Naturally no exact matches are availalble for this relic so my question is what components on another mobo have to match? ie: chipset, speed, etc? Obviously not tech orientated so hope I'm asking the right question. TIA

 

You can pick up a used one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MSI-K9AGM2-...292718915?pt=Motherboards&hash=item338612eb43

Sam

 

Thx Sajjr. I saw that but they are not identical. Mine is a K9A2GM, the one on ebay is K9AGM2-the 2 is not in the same location.

 

Considering Microsoft support for XP ends this coming April, XP support for legacy and new hardware and software will soon end too. In fact, a lot of new hardware and software does not support XP.

Therefore, keeping an old computer running will become more and more of a challenge, not to mention costly or secure.

So my advice is to bite the bullet and buy a new (or at least newer) computer with at least Windows 7 (preferably 64-bit).

That said, to answer your question about the components on the motherboard, the biggies are the CPU and the RAM and that support is determined by the chipset. Additionally for the CPU, any replacement board must also have the same socket.

But also, if the XP license you are using is OEM, it cannot legally be transferred to a "different" motherboard. It has to be the same make and model, or the model recommended by the same maker as the replacement when the original is no longer available. That makes it likely you will need to purchase a new Windows license too. So to me, the hassles of finding a compatible replacement board, the issues with the OS license, and the fact the old CPU and RAM are "old", makes a new machine look more attractive, and practical - not to mention, safe and secure.

 

Thx Digerati. I figured I'd keep it going if I could do so relatively easily and off-line after support ends. Have an XP net book so can use that to run programs currently on my 'old' machine once I transferred them to an external hd. Luckily I was relatively good at back up using Acronis so I have most of the data on an external hd and can access it on the xp netbook-just not all the programs from the pc. Also have a 64 w7 notebook & a relatively new w8 HP desk top. Haven't used w8 too much but guess I'll learn now.

 

I'd call that being "smart" not lucky.

With all those computers, I will assume you have a router and you should be able to block Internet access for that XP system when support ends. Then you can "repurpose" the XP system for backups, a music server, or you might install Linux on it for fun.

 

Digerari:
Thanks-that was kind of what I was thinking IF (there's that word again) I can locate a replacement mobo.

 

Yeah, IF is pretty big word.

 

Goes right along with 'BUT'
Thx again for the help.