Yet Another First Build/Bad Boot...

[Yukon8e2]

Decided to build myself an almost new computer using some brand new parts and some used parts from my most recent computer. I got the whole system built at this point, everything connected to the best of my knowledge, and booted it up. Seems as if everything was just dandy. No wierd noised, normal beeps, all fans spinning, standard boot commands even recognizing the new motherboard, video card, etc. But then I get to the screen where I have to choose which version of my operating system I want to load (Backstory: back on my old computer I had a major malfuction and nobody could figure out how to fix it so I just installed the exact same operating system on the same hard drive so as to access all my saved files). When I choose the good one that has always worked for me, after which my Windows desktop would almost instantly appear, instead it restarts into an endless cycle of rebooting.

One thing I've noticed is that when I choose to boot in safe mode, after it runs through all those quick safe mode commands it only gives me a blank screen before returning to the next boot cycle, but if I choose to "Load Windows Normally" or "Load Windows with the last configuration that worked", it flashes one of those blue error screens before going into the next cycle...but it flashes way too quick to actually read what any of it says.

Any ideas on what could be the problem? I'm thinkin it might have something to do with my hard drive. For some reason I was under the impression that I could just transfer my hard drive from my old computer to the new one, thus keeping all my data and basically keeping the same machine as I recognize it but just with more power and better graphics. I'm sure I figured wrong though and that doing such a thing isn't even possible. I just straight up don't know enough about it. Might you be able to shed some light on this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By the way I'll post my system specs tomorrow when I have some more time, both the new parts and the old. Just hoping somebody might have an idea of what might be the problem by hearing the basics...

[Underhanded]

You changed out your motherboard correct? The old operating system is still trying to run from the old motherboard/hardware. To my knowledge the best way to fix this problem is to reformat the drive and reinstall the OS. Unfortunatly, this means losing your data.. I'd suggest taking the hard drive out, and installing it as a slave drive (via jumper settings or bios) in a seperate computer (perhaps the one you are posting on?) and backing up your data. After that, I would reinstall the OS, which should fix the boot problems.

[glc]

You can do a repair reinstall of XP without losing your data. Procedures are in Tips and Tricks. This will fix the reboot loop.

If you are already a bit screwed up (and it sounds like you are with the dual install) I'd do that, then back up your data onto something external and start fresh.

[Underhanded]

Originally Posted by glc You can do a repair reinstall of XP without losing your data. Procedures are in Tips and Tricks. This will fix the reboot loop. If you are already a bit screwed up (and it sounds like you are with the dual install) I'd do that, then back up your data onto something external and start fresh.

His idea is better. (as usual ^^)