Changing hardware

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tolley
  • Start date Start date
T

Tolley

I have a computer that the CPU and motherboard both failed
on, and now I am ready to replace them with new
technology. My new computer will not completely boot up,
presumably because the new hardware configuration is very
different. How can I get past this? I have heard there
is a phone number to reach Microsoft for assistance, but I
have not been able to find it. Does anyone know how to
proceed?

Thanks
 
Right. It won't boot into Windows because the drivers are not correct
for the new system. One way to fix this is with a repair install:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

"How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Re-installation) of Windows XP"

(In brief: change the BIOS settings to boot first from the CD drive.
Boot from the XP CD. Choose to install, rather than going to the repair
console. Under install, choose to repair the existing installation
rather than performing a new one.)

This ought to preserve most files, settings, installed applications,
etc. You will lose everything installed through Windows update.

A complete reformat and new installation of XP might be cleaner, but
I've had this work several times.

HTH.

Bob Knowlden

Address may be altered to avoid spam. Replace nkbob with bobkn.
 
Has anyone helped you yet or have you resolved the
problem yourself? If not then you can email me with your
current system hardware configuration, any error message
(exact wording) you recieve when trying to boot, any
hardware you moved from your old board to your new one.
 
Greetings --

Normally, unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the
old one (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.),
you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade)
installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This may also require re-activation. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.


Bruce Chambers

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