Can't Get Windows to Boot

[beagles]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum or not, so please redirect if I'm off base here. Anyhow, I've got a problem trying to get my new PC to work. Specs are as follows: Apex TM-302-3 Micro ATX mid-tower case; ATX 300W Intel/AMD listed PSU; Biostar P4M80-M4 Micro ATX MoBo; Intel Celeron D315 CPU; 1 GB PQI unbuffered DDR 400 (PC3200) RAM; 160 GB Seagate SATA HDD; Windows XP OS; Optical Drive.

The HDD, optical drive and OS are from a 1 year old Compaq PC that, to the best of my knowledge, had a bad mother board due to a voltage spike on the phone line.

All of the assembled pieces described above boot up fine to the BIOS screen and the HDD and optical drive are recognized. However, when I proceed to start-up, I get a Windows error screen that tells me new hardware was installed/identified and asks how I want to boot up Windows (safe mode, configuration last used, etc). Regardless of which option is selected, the machine reboots and takes me back to the BIOS screen. The HDD has Compaq's home version of Windows XP installed (along with all of my digital photos, music, documents, etc). I've tried rebooting on an XP system disk inserted into the optical drive, but I get the same result (Windows error screen). The Compaq ran an AMD CPU as opposed to the Intel in the new machine (which might be causing this problem?). I tried the Biostar web page, but their information on this type of problem is extremely vague. At this point, I'm wondering if I've got a hardware or software problem and what to try next.

Any help would be appreciated!

[rjfvillarosa]

That copy of XP you are trying to boot is a proprietary copy tied in with the Compaq hardware, the chances are it doesn't even contain native drivers to make all that new hardware work.
Have you got access to a spare harddrive and another full copy of XP?

[glc]

You will have to buy a new copy of XP Home and do a repair install.

[beagles]

I've got a full copy of Windows XP on CD that my son used on his PC - this is the one that I tried to boot from the optical drive to do a repair install, but I couldn't get a Windows repair option to come up. My son made the same observation about proprietary Compaq software. Are you suggesting that I try to get the machine running on an unformatted HDD using a copy of XP in the optical drive?

Thanks!

[glc]

Yes, that would be best but probably not necessary - but you cannot use a copy of XP that's already installed on another machine. I'm suggesting that you do a repair install - that will preserve all your data. Steps to do this are in our Tips and Tricks forum. If you follow the steps and the repair option is not available, then you are looking at a wipe, a parallel install (this is ugly) or an install on a different hard drive.

[rjfvillarosa]

I'm suggesting that you do a repair install - that will preserve all your data. Steps to do this are in our Tips and Tricks forum. If you follow the steps and the repair option is not available, then you are looking at a wipe, a parallel install (this is ugly) or an install on a different hard drive.
This is why I asked you if you had a spare harddrive, in this situation I would be looking to slave your Compaq harddrive to another machine in order to save your documents to that second machine, this way you can attempt the repair install as glc suggests or if the worst comes to the worse you can format your original harddrive and reinstall XP, which ever way you do it you won't lose your documents.
If you don't have access to another machine but you do have a spare harddrive and copy of XP, you can put the spare harddrive in as master and install XP on it and again slave the Compaq harddrive and save your documents, the only thing is, if this copy of XP is already installed on another machine only use it to recover your files and then purchase a new copy for your rebuilt machine.

[beagles]

Thanks for the suggestions. I spoke to my son and we are going to hook up my Compaq/Seagate HDD to his machine tonight to, a) make sure it's functioning OK and, b) save any files I don't want to lose. Assuming that works out OK, I'm going to attempt the repair installation with my son's XD CD as described in Tips & Tricks. I'll post an update this evening on how it works out.

[glc]

Once more, you cannot permanently install your son's copy of XP on your machine. One copy, one machine - that's how the license reads. Don't try to activate his copy on your machine or you will be screwing HIM.

[beagles]

Per your recommendations, I installed my Compaq HDD into my son's machine and his PC recognized it and loaded the drivers. All info was still intact and accessible much to my relief. After copying the important data onto the his hard drive, I remved mine and reinstalled it into the new machine. Per the instructions in Tips & Tricks, I prioritized the optical drive to #1 in the boot sequence, installed the XP CD and lo and behold, it booted up just as described. However, I stopped when I got to the licensing agreement because of glc's warnings. I went back and prioritized the HDD to #1 in the boot sequence, but no luck - it still wouldn't boot. Am I at the point where I have to purchase another copy of XP or is there some other route I can take?

Thanks for all of your help.

[glc]

You have to complete a repair reinstall. You have to buy another copy of XP for licensing and activation reasons.

[beagles]

Well, I'm having a problem with the repair install. I followed the instructions as described. When he install was complete, the machine rebooted and Windows started on a set-up screen. I followed the instructions on the screen and reinserted the XP CD. All went well until it asked for the product key. I used the one on the bottom of my Compaq case, but the software wouldn't accept it. Is there something else I need to do?

Thanks

[rjfvillarosa]

Just a guess but most likely the copy of XP you are using to do your repair install is a different version to what was originally installed on your Compaq.
Can you slave your harddrive again, save your documents and then just do a format and reinstall?
You could then play/practice your networking skills with your Compaq and your sons machine in order to transfer your files back.

[beagles]

Yep - I was thinking along the same lines. I guess I'll have to purchase a copy of XP for the new install. Thanks for all of the help. By the way, I see that you're in Puerto Rico. My wife and I were in Old San Juan about 5 years ago when all of the tall ships were in the harbor - had a great time!

[glc]

That is correct. You have to buy another copy of XP, do the repair, and use the product key that comes with the NEW copy of XP. The Compaq key is ONLY valid for the Compaq preload in a Compaq computer. Period!

When you bought the Compaq, you did not buy Windows. You bought a license to use the copy of Windows preinstalled on that computer - and use it ONLY on that computer. This license is not transferrable, and they have hardware locked it to make sure you don't do it anyway in violation of the license agreement. Whether you don't like this or think it's not right is not the issue - that's the way it is.

What you are REALLY supposed to do is wipe the hard drive and start from scratch with a new legal copy of XP, but the repair procedure is a way to preserve all your data and programs and still be able to have a legal and activated copy of Windows on your new computer. You cannot LEGALLY use your son's copy because it's activated on HIS computer. One copy of windows, one computer. This is cut and dried.

[rjfvillarosa]

I have just had a customer approach me over an Emachine that lost it's power supply, he replaced the power supply but the machine still will not start up, the chances are the power supply blew part of the motherboard when it died. He has asked me to repair his machine and I told him that at minimum, he will need a motherboard and a new copy of XP, once he calmed down I explained to him that his original copy of XP probably won't recognize his new motherboard and as glc has just pointed out even if it did it wouldn't be legal because a motherboard change is almost regarded as a new computer and therefore a different computer, so, new copy of XP.



I am glad you enjoyed "La Regata Colon" that took place just before my wife and I came back here from the UK, we missed it by a few weeks.
edit..checkout the forum photo's there is one there of myself and another forum member in "El Morro" the old castle in Old San Juan.

[glc]

A name brand motherboard and a new copy of XP is cheaper than an exact replacement eMachine motherboard too. They want over $200 for an exact replacement where you can get an Asus that will fit in there for $60.

[rjfvillarosa]

Over$200!!.. Good Grief... thanks glc, I hadn't looked that far into the job yet because it was only an enquiry, now I won't even bother I will just tell him he needs a new mobo and copy of XP.

[glc]

The only way to get around the new copy of XP is this - get a motherboard with the EXACT same chipset as the eMachine board - if it's Intel, it may be an 845GV, for example. Then it WILL boot to safe mode without a bluescreen. You go through the telephone activation process, you will have to tell the M$ agent what you did - replace a faulty motherboard in a eMachine with a different model. He will need the CD key from the COA sticker, the exact model eMachine, and the exact place and date of original purchase.

[rjfvillarosa]

I'll wait untill the machine comes in and post back with what happens, I'll tell him about the idea of using a mobo with the same chipset.