new mobo wont boot and can't reinstal vista

[Guest]

HI,

I have 6 PC's, one old desktop and one old laptop on XP. One new laptop
upgraded to Vista-U. Two desktop's upgraded to Vista-U and one micro-desktop
running XP-MCE. (yes, all with their own licenses)

What was my xp desktop machine was upgraded to vista business and then to
vista ultimate (don't ask why !). Recently my motherboard melted so I
replaced it and the cpu however it refuses to boot and 'startup repair' does
nothing.

Here's my real problem... I can't reinstal anything since I don't have the
xp discs etc anymore and any attempt at the double-instal trick with the
ultimate 25char key gives the "can't instal this from that" message...

Any suggestions ?

Thanks,

Jason.

 

[David B.]

Define "refuses to boot"

 

[Guest]

Hi,

It begins the boot process, the little rectangle with the cycling green
blocks 'almost' apears and it reboots. I can do a new vista instal but it
wont accept my key...

I suspect my 'reinstal' problems are down to the double-upgrade (xp to
Vista-B to Vista-U).
The mobo change was from a p4s800-mx-se (2.8G P4) to an asrock 775-dual-vsta
(2.4G c2d).

I'll have another go tonight but it's getting to the "throw it against a
wall" time...

Cheers,

J.

 

[David B.]

So you replaced the motherboard and CPU and are trying to reinstall Vista,
have you formatted the hard drive or are you trying to install over what's
there?

 

[Guest]

Pretty much, yes..

Before replacing it, I remove all the old 'SIS' specific drivers etc.
Swapped the mobo and turned it on. From there I 'amost' get the green blocks
before a reboot. Tried the 'startup repair' but it didn't do anything.
After reading the hints here I reformatted ( I have a backup ) installed
vista-B with no key and tried the 'upgrade' with my vista-U key with no
luck...

 

[Roedy Green]

What was my xp desktop machine was upgraded to vista business and then to
vista ultimate (don't ask why !). Recently my motherboard melted so I
replaced it and the cpu however it refuses to boot and 'startup repair' does
nothing.

Here's my real problem... I can't reinstal anything since I don't have the
xp discs etc anymore and any attempt at the double-instal trick with the
ultimate 25char key gives the "can't instal this from that" message...

MS will sell you either the 64 bit version or the 32 bit version on a
Set of CDs. The idea is in is for people without a DVD drive for about
$10 a set.

See http://mindprod.com/jgloss/vista.html for a link.

I am still fighting MS/Acer/Compusmart to give them to me free since
they fraudulently sold me a machine "including Vista".

 

[David B.]

And therein lies the problem I think, You need to install Vista U with no
key, then install Vista U as an upgrade to itself, Vista B shouldn't be
involved at all.
The constant reboot loop after swapping a motherboard is due to the change
in hard drive controllers, it is normal and expected, it happens with XP and
2000 as well.

 

[Guest]

That does make sense, during a safeboot it reaches crcdsk.sys and pow...
That also gives me ideas for a few things to try.

I'll also try the Vista-U to U as you suggest...

Cheers!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response but disks aren't problem, it's the original key I
didn't keep...

 

[David B.]

The constant reboots have nothing to do with the license or activation, it's
a driver issue.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again, the vista-u to vista-u method worked and I'm now using my
freshly reactivated PC.

Must say that driver problem surprised me, particularly since it's known and
the installer disc can't handle it... Vista has potential to be great when
it matures a little more!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

HI,

I have 6 PC's, one old desktop and one old laptop on XP. One new laptop
upgraded to Vista-U. Two desktop's upgraded to Vista-U and one micro-desktop
running XP-MCE. (yes, all with their own licenses)

What was my xp desktop machine was upgraded to vista business and then to
vista ultimate (don't ask why !). Recently my motherboard melted so I
replaced it and the cpu however it refuses to boot and 'startup repair' does
nothing.

Here's my real problem... I can't reinstal anything since I don't have the
xp discs etc anymore ....

Why ever not? Surely you anticipated having to reinstall at some time
in the future and stored these in a safe place?

ultimate 25char key gives the "can't instal this from that" message...

Any suggestions ?

Replace the installation DVDs that you've misplaced. You cannot
reinstall the OS without them.

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer.


--

Bruce Chambers

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