Replaced mobo... Windows won't load

[Maskan]

I recently rebuilt my computer (my first attempt at such a project) using the good components from my old comp (the mobo died). So I'm now running with an Asus A7N8X DLX, Athlon 2600+, 512MB PC2100 RAM.

I had no problems with my POST... but when it tried to then get into Windows XP that I have on my HD, it gave me that black screen that says "Windows had trouble loading." And gave me the option to go into Safe Mode, etc. I tried going into Safe Mode but it wouldn't load. My HDs are fine, and I'd rather not have to do a clean install if I don't have to... so is there any way I can get Windows to load up on this new system off my HD?

Thanks

[Droppyale]

boot from your Windows XP cd, and do a repair...

that should work.

[tmx468]

Depending on what your old motherboard was, the repair may fix the issue.

However, if it was a different type of motherboard chipset, you could face the battle of a clean install. This is because XP (like NT and 2000 behind it) do not like serious equipment change, and when such a change occurs, it refuses to boot.

Good luck with the restore.

[Maskan]

problem is... my old computer was a 1.8 P4 in a Sony Vaio minitower... and it came with System Restore disks, but not the actual XP disks... i'm now running an Athlon system, so will those system restore disks even work?

[Shawn711]

The recovery disks, chances are, won't work because of the change in the motherboard. Usually they look for the manufacturer's bios before running and, while it may allow you to get so far, will not complete the install because of the new board. An option here would be to find someone who has a legal copy of XP and install from that using your valid key from the Sony.....

Shawn

[Maskan]

Is there anything I can do.... talk to Sony or anything because a lot of software came w/ my previous computer that I'd really really like to keep (namely Adobe Premiere 6.0). Or am I just gonna have to buy some new XP disks and take the loss?

[dlh75]

I dont think you can go from a P4 to a Athlon mobo without doing a clean install of the OS. Correct me if I'm wrongs guys. But I think you will have to do a format. Maybe would have worked if you bought a P4 Mobo. Was the CPU also dead? Is that why you changed to a AMD?

[Maskan]

yeah the processor was dead, too. no idea why, but it was a dead stick. so i decided to go for an AMD system.... better performance, better prices... so here i am. thanks for the help, so it looks like i'm gonna have to do a clean sweep.

thanks

[Shawn711]

The change in chipset alone would probably require a clean install, but most recovery disks look for the oem manufacturer info the bios and refuse to work on anything but that manufacturer's systems. I haven't ever messed with a Sony, but I know Gateway, Compaq, HP, and Toshiba have done this. I believe of the reason they do that is so it can only be installed on that one system and not every computer you have........might be part of some agreement that they have with MS to force you to buy copies for other systems.........unfortunately, they tend to put the files in compressed files on the recovery disk and have them password protected so you can't extract the programs that ya want..........but like I said, the key should work with another XP cd, so if all else fails and you have to buy an XP disk, I would see if you can find just the disk for sale an OEM version as it would be cheaper than buying a retail version.....OEM versions have to be sold with hardware per MS, but some places will let you off with just a purchase of a hd cable or other small hardware purchases.......

Shawn

[nukes]

Your best bet would be finding a freind who has an XP disc, and lend it off him to do an install. Failing that, flog the P4 chip and put that towards the cost of it.