Cannot load Windows XP

[MJoshi]

Hi,

A few weeks ago, my friend's computer suddenly started to emit black smoke and stopped working.

Upon further inspection, the power supply had a large hole blown through the case which seemed as though something had exploded and a black 'gunky' substance leaking from it.

We replaced the power supply and tried testing the motherboard but only the fans power up. I had checked that both the power connectors were connected and also tried removing all peripherals and cards.

It seems that the Gigabyte GA-8IRML motherboard was also fried.


We have since put together a new computer (Motherboard, RAM, Power Supply and CPU) however, whenever the computer boots and is just about to start Windows XP, a message comes up asking if we want to start in 'Safe Mode', 'Last Known Working Configuration' etc.

Selecting any of these causes the computer to reboot?

I tested the hard-drive in another computer and instead of rebooting, it just hangs after selecting one of the options.

Is it possible that the boot record has been corrupted and the Windows XP installation can be repaired?

 

[Evil Peanut]

hmm.. I assume that your useing a diffrant motherboard. So the drivers/devices etc.. are diffrant.
Windows is attempting loading with your old hardware layout with your new hardware, makeing it hang. Its the only thing I can currently think of.
You can repair your current windows, http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
But before you start you prob should wait for other people's input.. 🙂

 

[RebateMonger]

As Evil Peanut suggested, you probably used a different motherboard that has enough differing devices that it will require a Repair Install of Windows XP.

You should FIRST make backups of any important data on the hard drive in case the repair operation goes bonkers.

After doing the Repair Install, you will be required to re-activate Windows.

 

[MJoshi]

I'm not sure which recovery method to use?

This website says do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console":

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

whereas, this one indicates how to recover an XP installation using the Recovery Console and restore points:

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658-0

I'm also not sure if my friend has the XP product I.D to hand so will the second method bypass the need to re-activate etc?😕

 

[RebateMonger]

A "Repair Install" of XP does NOT involve the Recovery Console. You skip that offering and go on to the "Install XP" step. Tell the installer that you want to do a repair installation on top of the original install.

Just follow the steps listed on the web site referenced above. You want the "XP Repair Install" steps.

A "Repair Install" WILL require re-activation. I suggest your friend find his XP key. I know of no way to get the key from a non-functional Windows XP installation.

Alternatively, he can buy a motherboard that is EXACTLY the same as the original one. Or buy a new copy of XP.

Two additional warnings:
1) Your Repair Installation of XP won't include ANY updates that aren't on the XP Install CD. You'll need to run Windows Update to patch it to the latest version.
2) If you are running an OEM version of XP, you may have to call Microsoft to re-activate. I don't know how they handle re-activation of OEM XP when YOU (or your friend) were the original OEM System Builder. Microsoft allows a replacement motherboard to be installed in case of original motherboard failure, but I don't know how they handle it when a different make or model of motherboard replaced the orginal.