Please HELP with booting new motherboard

[irenealan]

Hi I just installed a new motherboard and somehow it won't load my old install of Windows. If I don't want to format the hard disk, is there anyway I can tell Windows to load with a new motherboard settings? Please help and a MILLION THANKS as I really want to get the system up as soon as possible thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: irenealan
Hi I just installed a new motherboard and somehow it won't load my old install of Windows. If I don't want to format the hard disk, is there anyway I can tell Windows to load with a new motherboard settings? Please help and a MILLION THANKS as I really want to get the system up as soon as possible thanks!

If possible, put your old motherboard back in and do a backup of any important files you might have, because sometimes Things Go Wrong? and you have to reformat no matter what. It's pretty normal for Win2000/XP to not like your new motherboard.

What you can try is this (after backing up your files): Start Windows Setup from the Windows CD. The first time it asks about doing Repair versus fresh install, choose a fresh installation. It should then do some stuff and end up looking at your hard drive, spotting the existing installation of Windows, and asking if you want it Repaired. Now say "Repair" and it ought to adopt all the existing data and programs while reinstalling Windows. You'll need to be careful, since this will be a "raw" and vulnerable Windows installation, and could be attacked by Internet worms like the Sasser worm if you don't be careful. Read my warnings here near the bottom of the page, for a recommended way of dealing with that threat.

 

[irenealan]

Thanks... the reason why I could not use my old motherboard is my old AGP is broken so that even if I put a new Video card in, Window will still not boot up (the Window icon display and system restarts). It seems the system won't boot if I don't pop the exact video card back on the board. Is there anything I can do to have Window boot up even with a new Graphic card installed?

Also just wonder since I can't back up my important files, is there any other safe way to recover the old install? Like any key press before loading Windows to have Windows boot without a specific motherboard or video setting. I just wonder if Windows don't boot up with my old motherboard and video drivers and automatically recognize the new motherboard or video card once the system starts up then I think everything should be fine.

Any idea? Thanks very much!

 

[DieHardware]

I agree with mechBgon put your old motherboard back in and use a PCI videocard to boot up. (You can get 1-2MB cards for a $1 at any recycler if you don't have one kicking around)