Trying to repair install, does not detect windows partition

[Nydomos]

I need to repair install (new motherboard), and XP setup does not detect my windows partition. (I am using XP Upgrade, so I can not clean install)

There are two things that might be causing this.

1 (I think this is the problem). I had ubuntu installed, and it had GNU Grub bootloader. I think that is why setup does not detect the windows partition.

2. My DVD drive is connected to the IDE slot on the motherboard, and the IDE HDD that had windows is on a PCI IDE controller.

Do I need to uninstall ubuntu or something, or hook up the HDD to the motherboard?


I can boot into ubuntu, but not windows. If I need to remove it, how would I do that? Could I get away with editing /boot/grub/menu.lst or something?


Please help me!

(as a last resort, I could buy WinXP full instead of upgrade, and do a clean install...)

 

[Fardringle]

When the computer first boots to the Windows CD, you are prompted to press F6 if you need to load 3rd party drive controllers. Press F6 at that point and Windows will ask for the floppy disc that came with the PCI IDE controller that your hard drive is attached to. Once the Setup utility has the drivers that will let it communicate with the PCI controller, it should be able to see the Windows partition on the hard drive.

 

[RebateMonger]

A Retail XP Upgrade CD can do a clean install on an empty hard drive. You just have to insert an Install CD for a previous (eligible) OS.

 

[Nydomos]

I cannot find my 98se CD.
Loading the drivers for the PCI controller does not help.

I have tried using the Windows XP CD and a cd with SP2 slipstreamed on it.

 

[Nydomos]

I am able to boot into Windows.
What would happen if I just install the chipset drivers and not reinstall? Do I have to uninstall the old chipset drivers (how?)?

 

[JustaGeek]

Uninstall the old chipset drivers, and install the new ones.

You are lucky, in most of the cases the old chipset/IDE controller drivers will conflict with the new hardware.

Although risky, this is actually the way to do it. But you should have uninstalled the IDE/chipset drivers first, leaving the default XP drivers, before mounting the new MB.

Good luck!

 

[jcgamo88]

If all you've done is replace the motherboard it might be easier to pop the old one back in, boot, change the ACPI to "Standard PC" and the Chipset drivers. Shut down, replace with new mobo, reset the ACPI and install new chipset drivers. That's always worked for me, then a quick chat with M$ and I'm re-activated.

Then go into your device manager and have it show the hidden devices. Then uninstall the transparent devices. All of them except "Non-Plug and Play Drivers" and the "Sound, video and game controllers" tabs.

 

[Nydomos]

The old motherboard does not work, I could not do that.

If I uninstall the old motherboard drivers, will XP still boot? In other words, do I uninstall drivers and restart, or install new drivers without restarting?

 

[QueBert]

yes, removing the drivers and rebooting will cause XP to install the default Microsoft ones, then you can install the MB drivers. I am shocked you are able to boot into XP with a new MB and no re/upgrade install of XP. Luck is on your side man

 

[Nydomos]

Alright, I got everything up and running, and activated XP. Thank you all for all the help.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: QueBert
yes, removing the drivers and rebooting will cause XP to install the default Microsoft ones, then you can install the MB drivers. I am shocked you are able to boot into XP with a new MB and no re/upgrade install of XP. Luck is on your side man

Frequently this will work.

There are two reasons it won't:
1. Your HAL (hardware abstraction layer) on the new MB changes. It could go from "Standard PCI" to "ACPI (APIC) PC". As time goes on, this is less and less likely as everything moves to ACPI.
2. Your disk controller on the new MB isn't compatible with the drivers in your install of WinXP. If your disk won't boot, you'll get a STOP 7B.

There is no good (supported) fix for #1.

#2 is easy. Just attach the drive to the old motherboard, force an install of either the new MB's IDE drivers, or, if the new MB doesn't _require_ new IDE drivers to boot, simply switch back to "Standard PCI IDE Drivers", and then shut down the machine. Don't boot up again until it's in your new motherboard. It should then boot.