Replacing mobo with an identical replacement: what do I need to know?

Hi All:

I just bought an identical (new) Vostro 270 mobo to replace the bad one in my Inspiron 660. Besides having to reactivate Windows 10, what else do I need to know or have on hand before proceeding?

- Will I need to download drivers in advance - or can I update them after the install is complete? Advice for the best way to do either - if needed - will be appreciated.

- Any other thoughts/input will be GREATLY appreciated: I did this same replacement about six months ago* when the original mobo failed, but with phone and remote desktop assistance from my buddy who owns a computer repair biz out-of-state. I can't remember all the details of everything we did: I'd like to do this on my own without bothering him while he's busy - with actual cash-paying customers!

I have all the needed "implements of destruction" at hand, along with a new CPU cooler and case fan to install as well. As soon as I (hopefully) get some guidance here, I'm ready to begin this "surgery".

Thanks so much in advance - Paul

* the "gently used" Vostro 270 mobo I bought off Ebay has since failed, too.

If you are replacing the motherboard with an identical motherboard, then why would you need to download drivers?

To make the sailing smoother (no windows problems) make sure you have a Microsoft account:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ardware-change

Update: Since I didn't hear back from my original post and was on a limited time frame to do this on my day off, I took a leap of faith and reasoned that I should try what AddRAM and zbook have since suggested. I went ahead with the install, but the outcome was not what I'd hoped.

Initially, I had no video. Zip, nada, none. From neither the MSI Radeon R7 240 nor the onboard video. The computer would start, but the power light on the front panel stayed orange (as it does when asleep) instead of turning white as it does when operating properly. I didn't have any indication nor confidence that it had made it through the POST. I shut it down and rechecked all connections for the third time, uninstalled and reinstalled both the RAM and graphics card and said a prayer.

The next startup didn't go well at all. After approx. 15 seconds something started to emit a burning smell, and my UPS's alarm went off and it went into protection mode, indicating that there was some sort of dead short - somewhere. Not good. As best I can determine, the "new" mobo I purchased off eBay was DOA.
The only issue the previous mobo had was that it wouldn't go to sleep as programmed (after 1/2 hour of inactivity): sometimes it would, but most of the time when the computer was left unattended it would just turn itself off completely. I'd previously eliminated the 460w power supply as the culprit by swapping in a known good 500w unit.

Since I needed my computer up and running, I reinstalled the old mobo and not knowing for sure if there was an issue with the 500w power supply, I took the extra precaution of reinstalling the previous 460w unit. (I'll test the output voltages on the 500w unit when I have some spare time to kill before I "86" it.)

On restart with the original mobo, it started with 5 beeps, pause 5 beeps, pause, and so on - without getting past POST. I shut it down, did some research and found info that indicated failure of the CMOS battery. Since I had just installed a new one, I knew this couldn't be right but still removed it, checked its voltage and reinstalled it.

The next start up brought up a DOS screen asking if I wanted to revert to the original BIOS configuration. On the advice of my friend I elected not to do that, but instead went into the BIOS to reset the system clock, which had reverted back to 2013. After selecting "Save and Exit", I now have a working computer again.

Guess I'll be returning the eBay mobo. Still haven't decided if I want to try another mobo: for now I've just set the SSD hard drive to turn off after 30 minutes. What's to lose?

I think I'll call it a day. Thanks to AddRAM and zbook for trying to help: I appreciate it.