Windows freezes

[Pete]

I replaced the failed motherboard on my computer with an identical one and
although the OS (XP Pro) loads and runs ok, I now get total freeze ups two
or three times a day. Mouse pointer freezes and Ctrl+Alt+Del does not work
either - have hit the reset button to reboot. This has happened in the
middle to doing different things so the cause is not related to a specific
task.

I can only assume the XP installation is somehow damaged - is there a way to
repair the installation without doing a clean install?

 

[GHalleck]

I replaced the failed motherboard on my computer with an identical one and
although the OS (XP Pro) loads and runs ok, I now get total freeze ups two
or three times a day. Mouse pointer freezes and Ctrl+Alt+Del does not work
either - have hit the reset button to reboot. This has happened in the
middle to doing different things so the cause is not related to a specific
task.

I can only assume the XP installation is somehow damaged - is there a way to
repair the installation without doing a clean install?

If the replacement motherboard is 100% identical to the original, then
a repair installation should not be necessary. But before starting this
effort, open the case and verify that all connections have been properly
seated. This includes the peripheral cards, RAM, ribbon cables, power
cables, etc. But if the new motherboard is of a higher revision number
than the old, re-installing the motherboard drivers from the cdrom that
accompanied the new motherboard may help. If necessary, download the
current driver set from the motherboard maker's website and install.
Should all of the above fail, then do the repair installation.