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UrbanFuturistic
10-01-2005, 03:38 PM
OK, long story short, I upgraded my mainboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card and PSU and while I've been using this setup for a few weeks now I've been Linux bound because after the major hardware change Windows refuses to boot.

I caught a glimpse of a BSOD before it reset the first time and I've tried booting in Safe Mode which also fails with a reboot. Memtest86 clears my RAM fine (first thing I checked before even trying to boot) and I've been working in Linux for weeks now without a hitch so I don't think this is a hardware failure of any kind.

On the upside I can get the console up from the install CD so it's not total deadweight but my expertise is in the Linux area so it's a case of "sure, I can get a console, now what?"

So, short of completely reinstalling Windows (XP Pro), which would be a hassle in itself as my disc only takes me up to SP1 and various student licences would have to be reactivated, what options do I have available? Could it be as simple as kicking out all the drivers and using defaults (which I would have thought safe mode would do but like I said, I'm not brilliant with Windows) and can this be done from the console?

TIA, Paul
andytw
10-01-2005, 06:55 PM
If you can't get into safe mode the only way I know is to try a repair from the console on the install cd.
I'm unsure if this will reapply any updates after SP1 though.
You may need to re-enter registration codes for currently installed programs though you shouldn't have to reinstall them.
MadMax
10-01-2005, 08:24 PM
Are you saying you took and upgraded your system, with a new motherboard and all that, and tried to use the same windows installation you had working before without reinstalling windows?!?!?!?!?
UrbanFuturistic
10-01-2005, 09:04 PM
I've done it before with a replacement motherboard and, hey, so Windows threw all its drivers out of the pram but it still booted.

Besides this, Linux can handle major hardware changes without issue so why the commercial OS (for which I paid thankyouverymuch) can't handle the same is beyond me. I don't know, call me crazy, but for some bizarre reason I expect more of software I've paid for rather than downloaded for free. Seems some people think I'm weird for expecting more from a commercially developed OS than something put together by freelancers, amateurs and small businesses concerns which I get for no charge.

OK, so this repair thing, is it a command or what's the deal? I'm serious, I get to the repair console and I don't know what to do next.
lots
10-01-2005, 09:52 PM
If you set up a new computer and expect a hard drive with windows already on it to work properly, forget it. Part of this is by design. Windows XP will not work if you create a major change in the system (in this case, replace everything but the hard drive :P). This is a security feature to prevent "piracy."

In whatever case though, the rule has always been: Reinstall Windows if you plan on moving the Windows hard drive from one machine to another. Not only will this make the system more stable, you will also not have to struggle with setup :P

Windows is not as portable as linux. Mainly so they can get more money out of you :P

Windows does have a system reset feature called sysprep. This will clear everything and make Windows think it is being started for the first time. This is mostly used for ghosting, but it may work. I'm not 100% positive it will help with a hardware reset, but I'm sure google has some answers..
MadMax
10-01-2005, 10:58 PM
I've done it before with a replacement motherboard and, hey, so Windows threw all its drivers out of the pram but it still booted.


Unfortunately it happens. Doesn't matter if Linux can do it, M$ usually can't.

You upgrade like that, you reinstall if you expect it to work right, or at all.
SweetDreamz
10-02-2005, 12:14 AM
Just reinstall it. It's not that hard anyways and it won't take you a day. Max. 2 hours if you know what you're doing, and I'm sure you know what you're doing when you play with Linux.
Ordibble-Plop
10-02-2005, 01:15 AM
Move hard drive to a new Windows XP system (http://www.theeldergeek.com/move_harddrive.htm) - should be helpful.

It also outlines how to do a repair of XP not using the recovery console.
lots
10-02-2005, 03:10 AM
Whatever the case. Windows will not be as stable if you do not reinstall it.
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