Computer reboots after hardware upgrade - help!

[nickmuzz]

Hi ya

When replying please bare in mind i know a bit but not a lot!!

I recently got a new motherboard (abit NF7) and processor (xp2500+) and have just installed it in my system.

I have dual boot system, if i go in using win 98 no probs, but if i go in under XP the computer reboots...

I would like suggestions as to how to root out the problem.... and if ineeds be i will post up all the boring details of what i am running.... hoping its not too complex!!

Cheers in advance.

NM

 

[johnjkr1]

What was the old motherboard you upgraded from? If you upgraded to a different chipset, Windows XP is not going to be happy about it. You might need to boot to safe mode and remove the old chipset drivers, then install the new ones.

 

[nickmuzz]

It was an older abit motherbaord so a similar chipset.

It does the same reboot when i try and go in in safe mode...

 

[johnjkr1]

Similar chipset? Was your old board an NFORCE 2 chipset board?

 

[nickmuzz]

Originally posted by: johnjkr1
Similar chipset? Was your old board an NFORCE 2 chipset board?

Ok i have got on my hands and knees etc now and checked the old stuff.

Old motherboard was an abit KT7A which is VIA KT133A /VIA 686B.

Doesnt mean much to me but im hoping everyone else knows exactly what it means!!!

 

[johnjkr1]

Yes, you had a VIA based motherboard. Now you have an NVIDIA based motherboard. You can't just switch them that easily. If you cant boot into safe mode, there is nothing you can do other than try a repair of XP. If that doesnt work, you will need to reinstall XP.

 

[nickmuzz]

ahhh. showing my ignorance.

i will tinker, thanks

 

[johnjkr1]

Sorry, wish I had a easier answer for you. Sometimes a repair does work.

 

[Fern]

Nickmuzz,

As aluded to, you're having a problem with (mobo) chipset drivers. If you did'nt reformat/reinstall you still have the Via chipset drivers in your system. They will play havoc with nForce2 chipset. I'm guessing you did install the nForce chipset drivers on top of the Via chipset drivers. You would now have two different sets of drivers installed potentially causing all sorts of conflicts.

Most peeps do reformat/reinstall to clear out the old drivers before installing the new ones. IMHO, that's the best/easiest way to ensure no instability due to driver conflicts etc. Some, though, have to much stuff to bear an reformat. So, Anandtech has an article on how to do this without an reformat etc. Go HERE to see the article.

Good Luck