Solved: Computer almost boots...

[Dreddnaut]

Here is my problem:

I just replaced the motherboard with everything else remaining the same. When I power the computer on, I get the single "beep", the normal DOS messages with options to enter setup or boot menu, then constant rebooting. I go into setup, have the boot list as "HDD - CD-ROM - USB" (which I changed to CD - HDD - USB). The automatic repair tool it keeps trying to run can't seem to get it started. I have a DVD drive, CD burner (both IDE) and a SATA HDD with Windows 7. I just cannot seem to get past the DOS screen. I know it's vague, but can anyone help? What do you need for information? I feel like I'm missing something small yet extremely significant. At one point, I saw the HDD listed as D:, so I unplugged the 2 IDE drives, leaving only the SATA HDD plugged in, thinking C: wasn't being "assigned" properly. Same result. Thank you.

 

[Amd_Man]

When you change the motherboard, unless it's the exact same board you will have to reinstall windows, but sometimes a repair install will work.

 

[Dreddnaut]

That would make sense, I guess. Why does Windows have to be reinstalled?

 

[Amd_Man]

The chipset drivers and other motherboard drivers are tied to the old board. If you have the disk you can boot off that and try a repair install.

 

[Dreddnaut]

I assume you mean the Windows disk? I do have the disk that came with the motherboard, but I can't get the computer to recognize it. The disk gets ignored in the reboot cycle. So, once I do a Windows repair-install, the motherboard CD should then come into play?

 

[Triple6]

You can't do a repair install of Windows 7. Backup your data, format the drive and do a clean install. You must a Windows 7 disc to do the install, the motherboard disc is only for installing drivers after you have installed Windows.

 

[Amd_Man]

The poster can't get into Windows to do a backup. I've done repair installs, but it's hit and miss when a new motherboard is the reason. You can reinstall Windows 7 and it will create a folder on the c drive named Windows old. Your documents will (should) be in that folder. If you format and do a fresh install (which is best) you will loose all your files.

 

[Triple6]

He'd have to backup the data using another computer.

Installing a copy of Windows next to the previous copy is not a repair install, and with Windows 7 you have to be able to boot into Windows to do a repair installation using media thats at the same level of service packs as the installed copy unless you know of another way with Windows 7 unlike Windows XP.

 

[Amd_Man]

I forgot to mention that if service pack one is installed then a repair or re-install will not work with the origional disk.

 

[Dreddnaut]

Thank you. I'll figure out a way to get my data backed up then do a fresh install. Another question - why do I see the option to repair when I boot with the Windows disk? Is Windows 7 "repair" different than XP "repair"?

 

[Triple6]

Yes, it's different: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows7/products/features/startup-repair

 

[Dreddnaut]

Yes, I saw that when I tried to boot up without the Windows disk. Maybe we're talking about the same thing, but I was referring to the repair option when booting from the Windows disk. Two options, install and repair. My apologies if I'm rehashing the same thing.

 

[Triple6]

Doesn't the Windows 7 disc Repair option take you to the same thing?

 

[Dreddnaut]

I don't know, I never went beyond it. If I choose "repair" from that screen, will it hurt anything, data-wise? Looking at it, it seems exactly like the XP "repair", which I've done before. I could care less about having to re-install Windows. My only real concern is losing data.

 

[Triple6]

It wont delete data unless you choose too.