Advice on Updating System

[Fishbone2]

I recently purchased a used professionally built virtual pinball cabinet that includes all the accessories—knocker, solenoids, shaker motor, playfield speakers, etc. I'm planning to upgrade the PC to one with an AMD 5080 graphics card and switch the monitor to a 4K LG C4 OLED. The current setup works well and uses an AMD 1080 GPU and a 4K 60Hz monitor.

 

The software and games haven't been updated in a couple years, and I’d like to refresh everything—new tables, updated software, etc. My main question is: should I do a fresh install on the new PC, or should I try to reuse the old hard drive?

 

I’m not very familiar with how the system wired or how the software is configured. I’m especially concerned that starting fresh might mean losing all the DirectOutput configurations and other system-specific setups, which could be difficult to recreate without experience.

 

Given my limited virtual pinball knowledge, how would you recommend approaching this upgrade?

[Dazz]

I would... Keep your old drive in tact. Don't get rid of it as you may need things off of it. Such as config files, registry, etc.

Install a new main drive. Definitely use SSD drives at least for the OS install. You can use a normal drive for everything else. Do a completely fresh install using the Popper Baller Installer. That will get all of the main software up and going.  

For DOF, do you know the login info that contains the config files for that machine?  This is one of the issues  when purchasing a pre-configured cabinet.  If you don't, you will need to create a new config so you would need to figure out your DOF hardware and re-configure the tool so you can get updated DOF for games.

[deadmanworking]

What are the installed software and Windows versions? 

 

Also, will replace only the GPU, or also the motherboard? If you replace the motherboard it's a big gamble whether the OS on the old drive would still function with that (drivers), if it's only the GPU a much better chance. 

 

If I were in your shoes I would probably spend some time and first try and see if it's possible to upgrade / update piece by piece. If it turns out that it's not functioning properly or you hit a roadblock you still have the resort to do a clean install. 

 

[Fishbone2]

Thank you both for your responses, it's incredibly appreciated. This process can definitely feel a bit overwhelming. 

 

I’m planning to replace the entire PC, as it’s now six years old. The new system will be running Windows 11.  I was able to get the VP Config login credentials from the original owner.

 

If I understand correctly, my next steps should be to get the new PC set up and install Baller first. Once that’s up and running, I can move on to sorting out the DOF configuration using the previous setup and login info — is that right? Anything else I should do prior to removing old PC?

[deadmanworking]

Right, fresh install it is then -- I think in your case I would try to prepare and migrate as much of the config as possible before switching PCs.

 

I.e. set up Windows and AIO installer on the new PC, then copy all tables, ROMs, frontend media etc. to the new PC. 

Then also export registry entries for VPinMame and your frontend and transfer over. 

For DOF I have no clue how to transfer those settings so someone else would need to chime in. 

What else -- do you have SSF in the cab? Are you using PUP packs? Colored ROMs? Altsounds?

 

As soon as you remove the built-in PC, you might lose access to some settings that can't be replicated. Therefore if possible I would do this switching the monitors in the cab from the built-in PC to the new PC and back and migrate everything before swapping out the PC. 

Like this you still have a stable and working system and can set up the replacement piece by piece and refer back to the original system if something doesn't work. Fingers crossed!