New motherboard means XP won't start

[Richard Lawrence]

Hello,

I hope someone can help. My motherboard and memory went up in smoke
(literally!) so I've replaced them both and now XP won't start up.

In short, it doesn't display any text (ie the bar at the bottom of the
screen) before reseting the computer. Now whenever I try booting it
again, I'm told that Windows XP didn't start properly and to select a
configuration (safe, safe with networking, last known good
....etc...etc...).

Every single one of those does exactly the same as before (ie. resets
the computer before displaying any kind of text), so in the absence of
a recovery disk (i can't find it anywhere) I figured that a simple
re-install would fix the problem.

However, once the DOS part of the install is finished, the PC reboots
only to get back to the very same screen as above with the very same
options (that all do the same - that is, reset the computer).

Now of course, I could just re-format the C drive and re-install but
thats somewhat slightly drastic (and would lose the "My Documents"
files) so does anyone have any ideas on how I can stop this "Windows
didn't start up properly" message so that I can get the installer to
continue after the DOS part.

Thanks in advance,

Richard

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello,

I hope someone can help. My motherboard and memory went up in smoke
(literally!) so I've replaced them both and now XP won't start up.

In short, it doesn't display any text (ie the bar at the bottom of the
screen) before reseting the computer. Now whenever I try booting it
again, I'm told that Windows XP didn't start properly and to select a
configuration (safe, safe with networking, last known good
...etc...etc...).

Every single one of those does exactly the same as before (ie. resets
the computer before displaying any kind of text), so in the absence of
a recovery disk (i can't find it anywhere) I figured that a simple
re-install would fix the problem.

However, once the DOS part of the install is finished, the PC reboots
only to get back to the very same screen as above with the very same
options (that all do the same - that is, reset the computer).

Now of course, I could just re-format the C drive and re-install but
thats somewhat slightly drastic (and would lose the "My Documents"
files) so does anyone have any ideas on how I can stop this "Windows
didn't start up properly" message so that I can get the installer to
continue after the DOS part.

Thanks in advance,

Richard

Have a look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341

About your documents: They are not lost - they can easily be
recovered, provided you do it BEFORE reformatting your disk.
This would be a good time to review your backup strategy.
Important files must be backed up every week to an independent
medium. This time you're safe; next time you might lose the lot.
Post for more details in case you cannot restore WinXP.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours
_before_ starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the
one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, 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 will also require re-activation, unless you have a Volume
Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. 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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