Windows XP repair install problem

[Lord_Dusty]

Hi,

Ok, so after moving my old HD to a new MB/processor, I did a repair install, following the directions on the tip/tricks board. After the system reboots following the repair, it gets to the windows screen for about 10 seconds, then blue screens and restarts. The blue screen just flashes up there, so I can't read any possible error message. What could be causing this problem?

Now, I didn't do the thing glc recommended with the Standard Dual IDE Controller update. And I also didn't remove any of the old drivers from the computer, including a video card that didn't make the move. Are either of those things likely to fix the problem if I put the HD in the old computer and do them? Or is there any other thing that might fix this?

Thanks a lot,
Dusty

[rjfvillarosa]

Can you get it to boot in to safemode?

[Lord_Dusty]

No, it will not boot in safe mode.

[Lord_Dusty]

When I try, it starts booting into safemode and says "window xp setup can not run under safe mode. setup will restart"

[rjfvillarosa]

Put the harddrive back in the old machine and do another repair install just to try and get things back up and running.

[mechanic58]

I feel your pain. :|

[chuck4456]

If it will work again in the old one, it will be a good idea to copy any important files, if you haven't done so already. Good luck.

[Lord_Dusty]

Ok, put it back in the old computer. Repair is not an option, I just see partitions to install to with no option to press R. All important documents were saved previously, I just didn't want to have to reinstall all the programs I use. But if I have to, I have to.

What should I do now? Is there anything left to try, or do I need to do a clean install? And what would be the steps involved in that, I assume just pick install instead of repair after I put the HD back in the new computer?

Thanks a lot for the help.

[rjfvillarosa]

If you select install, during the install process setup will run some checks on your hardware and it will discover an existing installation of XP, it will then give you the option of a repair and if you select OK it will delete all the existing system files and replace them.
You may still have issues following this with some drivers but it may save you doing a full install of all your old programs.

[Lord_Dusty]

Are you talking in the old computer?

When I do, it gives a "Caution" A /windows folder already exists that may contain a Windows installation. If you continue, the existing windows installation will be overwritten. All files... blah blah... for that windows installation will be deleted." Doesn't sound like it will repair.

[glc]

Is this a generic XP CD or is it an OEM from a major hardware vendor (Dell, Gateway, etc.)?

[Lord_Dusty]

I bought the cd retail.

[mechanic58]

Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I did have this similar problem...and here's what I ended up doing. I can't believe it worked.

I had a full install of XP Pro which I have had for a few years that I attempted to put on a brand new machine that I built. But it wouldn't boot from the cd. So I had to install Win 98, which I also happened to have. Then, it would let me begin the upgrade to XP, but would fail just before it would "initialize". So I kept uninstalling what had installed and going back to 98. Finally, I located a recovery disk for a DELL machine that had XP on it. One that I had a year or so ago and no longer have. I thought there would be no way it would work, but here's what I did. I went ahead and began the upgrade with my original copy of XP pro...and let it get to the point where it stopped responding. (just after the second reboot during the installation) Then I shut it down and put the Dell CD in. At that point it let me do a "new instalion" via that Dell CD. I simply CANNOT believe it worked. I have THE dumbest luck with computer software. lol.

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, I no longer had the product key for that dell computer, which I did need for that installation. I searched and located a little application called "keyfinder" which located the key and displayed it for me, so I was able to continue.

[Lord_Dusty]

Thanks for the help everyone. I finally gave up and just did a full install over the old one. Computer works great (outside of the onboard network card is broken as near as I can tell).