XP Home re-load after new motherboard

[Guest]

I have had a new motherboard fitted and was advised I would have to use the
PC's Recovery disk to reload XP. However when I do and try to re-boot I just
keep getting the message that Windows will not start due to new hardware and
the message 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt : \windows\system32\config\SYSTEM'
Is there any way I can get overcome this without having the SP disk?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you did not replace your PC's motherboard with an identical model,
your PC manufacturer's recovery disk will not work. You'll have to
purchase a conventional "Full Version" of Windows XP and perform
a "Repair Install".

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

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I have had a new motherboard fitted and was advised I would have to use the
| PC's Recovery disk to reload XP. However when I do and try to re-boot I just
| keep getting the message that Windows will not start due to new hardware and
| the message 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
| corrupt : \windows\system32\config\SYSTEM'
| Is there any way I can get overcome this without having the SP disk?

 

[Guest]

I have done this using the links that Carey gave and only if using
substantially similar hardware (this being with an XP OEM upgrade disk rather
than a Recovery disk). So, the caveat is that it may not apply to your
problem at all.

See if you can boot into Safe Mode (by pressing F8 as Windows first starts
to load). Or, you can try booting from your Recovery CD and see if it offers
you the option to do a repair installation. It mostly depends on the brand
of computer that you're using.

Good luck!

- John

 

[Ron Martell]

I have had a new motherboard fitted and was advised I would have to use the
PC's Recovery disk to reload XP. However when I do and try to re-boot I just
keep getting the message that Windows will not start due to new hardware and
the message 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt : \windows\system32\config\SYSTEM'
Is there any way I can get overcome this without having the SP disk?

Is your Windows XP on a "System Recovery" disk that came with the new
computer?

If so then you may be in some difficulty as it is quite likely that
your Windows XP is a "BIOS Locked" version that can only be activated
if it is installed on a motherboard that is from the same manufacturer
as your computer. And the Windows XP may be further customized so as
to include hardware-specific drivers that will only work with that
manufacturer's hardware.

We need some specific details as to the make and model of your
computer; if your Windows XP came preinstalled on that computer; and
exactly what type of CD you have for reinstalling your Windows XP
(e.g. the title on the CD label). That will help to determine exactly
what is causing your difficulties and what your options might be at
this time.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ron,

I have an e-machines 420 PC and XP was pre-loaded when I bought it. The
system manual tells me to restore XP via the recovery disks of which there
are 2. One simply says 1 of 2 and the other says 2 of 2: Drivers. The new
motherboard is a an ASRock P4VM800. I also had a new PSU fitted.

 

[Ron Martell]

Thanks Ron,

I have an e-machines 420 PC and XP was pre-loaded when I bought it. The
system manual tells me to restore XP via the recovery disks of which there
are 2. One simply says 1 of 2 and the other says 2 of 2: Drivers. The new
motherboard is a an ASRock P4VM800. I also had a new PSU fitted.

I am afraid that you are in a bit of a bind with regards to your
Windows XP.

eMachines uses BIOS Locked OEM versions of Windows XP, which means
they are self-activating when installed on a computer with an
eMachines motherboard.

As of 1 March 2005 Microsoft has stopped allowing the BIOS Locked OEM
versions to be activated over the Internet, as they would have to be
when installed on a different make motherboard, and they will decline
requests for telephone activation. This is apparently because there
was a rash of incidents of people using their BIOS Locked OEM versions
on a second computer.

Your only options at this point would appear to be:

1. Go back to the old eMachines motherboard.

2. Purchase a new motherboard from eMachines and use that instead of
the ASRock board.

3. Purchase a new copy of Windows XP and install it on your computer.
If you purchase a *Generic* OEM version (some dealers and even WalMart
will sell these) you could then do a Repair Install of your Windows XP
with this new OEM CD and Product Key.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks Ron,

I have an e-machines 420 PC and XP was pre-loaded when I bought it. The
system manual tells me to restore XP via the recovery disks of which there
are 2. One simply says 1 of 2 and the other says 2 of 2: Drivers. The new
motherboard is a an ASRock P4VM800. I also had a new PSU fitted.

Those disks won't work unless you replaced the motherboard with the
same make/model as was originally in the computer.

--

Bruce Chambers

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