Hard Drive Won't Boot, but Can Read Files. What to do?

[jmDesktop]

My XP Pro installed hard drive died in that it won't boot properly. I
can see the XP logo and then my machine will reboot. The technician
had just replaced the mobo, so I suspect that could have played a part,
but I don't know for sure and I'm sure it wouldn't matter to them
anyway.

I put the drive in another computer and the drive works fine. I can
get my files.

How can I get the drive to boot up without reinstalling anything? The
motherboard the guy put in is the exact part that was taken out, no new
(different) components.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[JS]

If you paid to have the motherboard replaced and the system won't boot, take
it back to the shop and have them fix it.

JS

 

[Anna]

If you paid to have the motherboard replaced and the system won't boot,
take it back to the shop and have them fix it.

JS

jmDesktop:
Just to amplify JS's comment...

In nearly every case after a motherboard is replaced with a new one, a
Repair install of the XP operating system is necessary. This is so even if
the new motherboard is the same make & model of the one being replaced since
the new board may have a different BIOS or for other reasons having to do
with the new board's manufacture. The Repair install is relatively simple -
generally no more difficult than undertaking a fresh install of the OS.

It's hard to imagine that the technician who replaced your motherboard did
not undertake such a Repair install assuming that is what's causing your
non-booting problem. But it's possible some other issue is at work here
causing your problem. But as JS indicates, is it not a simple matter to get
in touch with the technician and have him take a look at your system? Surely
this would not incur any additional cost to you at this point, would it?
Anna

 

[JS]

Thanks Anna, good advice.
Just about any technician can replace a motherboard, but just like an auto
mechanic they should perform a test drive before returning it back to the
customer.

JS

 

[Rock]

My XP Pro installed hard drive died in that it won't boot properly. I
can see the XP logo and then my machine will reboot. The technician
had just replaced the mobo, so I suspect that could have played a part,
but I don't know for sure and I'm sure it wouldn't matter to them
anyway.

I put the drive in another computer and the drive works fine. I can
get my files.

How can I get the drive to boot up without reinstalling anything? The
motherboard the guy put in is the exact part that was taken out, no new
(different) components.

Typically a repair install of the OS is needed for a change like this.
Hopefully a repair install will do it. If not it's a clean install.

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Ron Martell]

My XP Pro installed hard drive died in that it won't boot properly. I
can see the XP logo and then my machine will reboot. The technician
had just replaced the mobo, so I suspect that could have played a part,
but I don't know for sure and I'm sure it wouldn't matter to them
anyway.

I put the drive in another computer and the drive works fine. I can
get my files.

How can I get the drive to boot up without reinstalling anything? The
motherboard the guy put in is the exact part that was taken out, no new
(different) components.

Thanks for any ideas.

Ordinarily an exact replacement of a motherboard will not require a
Repair Install but you may have to do this.

Two things to try:

1. Turn the computer on and start tapping the F8 key rapidly just as
soon as the first information of any kind shows on the screen. Keep
tapping until the Windows XP Startup Menu appears. Look for an items
that says "Turn off automatic restart on system failure" or words to
that effect and choose that. Then let the computer start up
normally. If a "Blue Screen Of Death" STOP error appears then post
the contents of that error message, including the STOP code, all 4
parameters, and any file or module names mentioned, back here.
On the other hand if the computer starts up okay then use Control
Panel - System - Advanced and click on the Settings button in the
Startup and Recovery (bottom) section. In the Startup and Recovery
window click on the checkbox for "automatically restart" to clear it.

2. If that doesn't produce any results then boot with your Windows XP
installation CD and choose the Repair (Recovery Console) option. When
it has finished booting and stopped at the command prompt enter the
following command:

CHKDSK C: /R

Then restart the computer normally after CHKDSK has finished. It may
take quite a while.


Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[jmDesktop]

So this happening does not necessarily mean my hard drive is broken
does it? Or did something just get corrupt for whatever reason?
Would it be better to have a new hard drive?

 

[Rock]

So this happening does not necessarily mean my hard drive is broken
does it? Or did something just get corrupt for whatever reason?
Would it be better to have a new hard drive?

No the hard drive is probably fine. Do the repair install as indicated in
the links I gave.