Hi folks,

This is my first post here, it's great to find that a site like this exists. My problem is that Windows XP won't boot after I replaced the motherboard (the old one died). When I start up the PC it works normally up to the point where I see that screen that says something like "Windows failed to boot properly the last time you tried to start it up", and gives you the option to start up in safe mode, normal mode, safe mode with command prompt, etc.

If I choose normal mode the screen goes blank for 3-4 seconds, then the PC reboots. If I choose safe mode with command prompt, it displays the lists of drivers it's loading. It gets to one particular driver (I forgot to write down its name), it gives you the option of not loading that driver by pressing escape. Whether you skip the driver or not, the PC reboots after this point. The other safe mode options behave in a similar manner.

I booted up the PC with a Win XP boot disk. It started up OK and I can see the HDD, so it doesn't appear to be corrupt.

I'm using all the same parts with the new motherboard except for the RAM. I haven't plugged everything in to the new motherboard yet, and I'm wondering if that could be causing the problem. The old system had two DVD drives, an FDD, a floppy drive, an HDD, sound and network cards and a graphics card. All I have plugged in at the moment is one DVD drive, the FDD and the HDD. So maybe windows is looking for something that isn't there.

Everything was working fine before I changed the motherboard. I don't have any OS' other than Windows installed. I don't know what other info to give.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to find out what is causing the problem? I could reinstall windows but I'd like to save myself the trouble if I can.

Thanks,

James

Hello jlownie

Welcome to PC Help Forums

Unfortunately you are going to have to re-install XP, the reason being is that XP thinks you are trying to install it on another pc which in XP terms means piracy.
All new hardware will confuse the system, as when it installs for the first time all hardware parameters are set and then associated to Microsoft.
Hope this clears the air.

Hi Wolf or anyone who can help,

My father's computer died and I am trying to help him long distance.

CC said it was the motherboard. I want to keep him on XP and fix it the fastest and easiest way. (not cheapest way) His computer is not backed up.

If I replace the motherboard with the exact same make and model motherboard, will XP boot up??

I do not want to reformat his hard drive or buy another XP license.

thanks airspeed

Hi Airspeed
That entirely depends on the Serial and Part numbers associated with the motherboard. On a Packardbell machine for example, if I change the motherboard for an exact copy and I am running my OEM xp install that came with my package all the Part Numbers may be different and XP may not run.

I could be wrong though. I havent had much experience with replacing Motherboards.