Windows XP Boot Error...

T

Takkun

New Member
I just recently upgraded my computer and i am now unable to start Windows XP. My computer boots up fine but then it gives me an error saying that it is unable to start Windows.
I am currently on my second computer.

These are the things i upgraded:
Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Graphics Card
Power Supply

Does anyone know an error in the hardware setup that would cause my computer to boot but not run Windows?
 
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When you swapped out all of that hardware did you remember to plug the hard drive back in correctly? If you are trying to run a previous installation of XP before the upgrade it may not be able to run since the amount of changes there constitute a new build. The repair install method of Windows for this simply wouldn't be enough as well as going to the recovery console to use the "Fixmbr" and "Fixboot" commands there. You will need to reinstall Windows and hopefully have backed up anything important since you have to reformat the drive in the process.
 
PC eye said:
When you swapped out all of that hardware did you remember to plug the hard drive back in correctly? If you are trying to run a previous installation of XP before the upgrade it may not be able to run since the amount of changes there constitute a new build. The repair install method of Windows for this simply wouldn't be enough as well as going to the recovery console to use the "Fixmbr" and "Fixboot" commands there. You will need to reinstall Windows and hopefully have backed up anything important since you have to reformat the drive in the process.
Click to expand...

yes i plugged it in correctly
isnt reinstalling XP a little extreme?
is there any other way to get this thing to work?
 
XP "by design" locks itself to one and only one machine. Microsoft did allow for the occasional swapout and upgrade of hardwares on the same system however. But you have also swapped out the major components to a system meaning.... ut oh! The XP installer will simply delete the current installation in favor of the fresh installation.

A clean fresh partition will see better overall performance. The repair install method would be an alternate method to try out but without any guarantees of success there. There's simply too many items changed. You would probably end up reformatting the drive anyways when problems were persistant. But the best article seen on this is found at http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 
PC eye, I always thought that after big hardware upgrade (like mobo) os just need to be activated again. Although i never upgraded my mobo so i don't know if that is true...
I'm not saying that you are wrong. I simply ask if you are sure because I'm not.
 
That's automatically just what you will probably end up doing anyways after the first 30days. XP only allows so many changes in so many calendar days or reactivation is required. But the question is on how to get Window up and running to start off with. With the board and other hardwares becoming a new build in the same case XP needs a new partition to install onto!

There's just too much involved like the "mandatory" hardware detection and snapshot process bonding XP to one set of hardwares. Fortunately when XP Pro was moved from the second ide to the new sata when Vista refused to go on a second partition there the installation went well and was reactivated being on the same system while not on the same drive. The board alone is the stumbling block in many cases.
 
That's automatically just what you will probably end up doing anyways after the first 30days.
Click to expand...
So, IF you are lucky enoguh and windows start up properly, can't you just reactivate again?
 
The problem there if Windows does get running the wpa.dbl will be useless since that's a record of the original installation and activation. Without deletion of the current partition the installer would simply delete the current copy of Windows and then need the fresh activation for that. The total amount of hardware change equals another case inside the same case. Everything else besides the case has been swapped.

The repair install would be good for backing up everything worth saving prior to a total wipe essentially since your software for burning cds or dvds would still be intact to create data disks. But the eventual clean install on a new fresh partition would be the recommendation. That will also provide a brand new registry and new Windows, Program Files, DocumentsandSettings folders as well as fresh installations of the current ptograms. The end result is seeing better overall performance added to no system hangups!
 
But if you activate it woudn't it replace wpa.dbl with the new one?
I found something like that:
"What if I make too many changes?

If, on Windows startup, there are not the required seven Yes votes, the system will, in the original version of Windows XP, only boot to Safe Mode. You will be required to reactivate by a phone call to Microsoft. You will have to write down a 50-digit number, call into the activation center on a toll-free number that will be given to you, read and check back the number you recorded — and explain the circumstances. In exchange, you will be given a 42-digit number to type in. This will reactivate your copy of Windows.

This is made easier if Windows XP Service Pack 1 has been installed: The system will continue to boot normally for three days, during which time you will be able to contact the activation center via the net. If the extra changes have been removed, or if 120 days have passed since the original activation, you will be able to use the automatic process once more "
 
You will find that the automatic process is far easier at this time with Vista out. A day after moving XP Pro to the new sata drive I decided to isolate each installation in case of Vista Home Premium being removed for Vista Ultimate /SP1 or SP2 whatever there. When XP was installed the second time the activation was instant. When first getting XP with SP1 I had to call MS when a reinstall was done too soon to get that number. With Vista you can reinstall that 100 times a month! as long as it's on the same system.
 
So far the initial installation here besides the lack of SB real not beta drivers has been good even with the gaming part of it. I think the problems people have complained about were seen while running the RC1 and RC2 beta versions. What people forget there is those are "evaluation only" versions and not full retail finished versions. Plus some bugs and some real drivers are yet to be found at this time.

For reactuvating XP it used to take a month of several days if a reinstall was needed. XP Pro was done immediately when reinstalled the second time in one day's time. Maybe they don't want their call in number bogged down any longer? :confused: :P
 
I forgot you are a Vista fan :)
But I guess you right (about the problems people having).
And about the bugs etc... that is why my advice is always "wait for SP1" before buing.
But on the other hand if everyone would wait, it'll be difficult for M$ to make that SP1... :)
 
I don't know about being especially Vista enriched at this time. I ran the transformation pack on the XP Home installtion and the IE window couldn't go down to the bottom of the screen when maximised. Even with the Start menu moved to the side "something" was still there! Upon removing it the logoff//shutdown/restart screen remains changed there and a Vista icon is seen on the explorer bar when a W.Explorer window is open.

Since XP included the auto report error where if something crashes a tech brief on the error is sent in the data collected there was most likely the base used to make the two SPs up. I figured I would save the do re' me by going with the Premium version until the SP2 or 2nd whatever comes out for the Ultimate version. That was the version tried when RC1 was installed here.

The installer is what bugged me more then anything there. The screen for adjusting the size of the primary when installing onto a bare drive? I still have to go into the installer some more to get a full look at what's there. But it readily detects the sata drives while XP requires a driver disk for the most part. The pros and cons of each version.
 
Takkun said:
I just recently upgraded my computer and i am now unable to start Windows XP. My computer boots up fine but then it gives me an error saying that it is unable to start Windows.
I am currently on my second computer.

These are the things i upgraded:
Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Graphics Card
Power Supply

Does anyone know an error in the hardware setup that would cause my computer to boot but not run Windows?
Click to expand...
Look at all you've done. You've not "upgraded". Windows thinks that you've got a totally new and different computer. Best do as PC eye says and start from scratch.
Tom
 
One of things designed into XP to put a halt on software sharing without a valid license was to incorporate the product activation code and essentially a complete installation record of the hardware environment on one machine. Microsoft anticipated the eventual upgrade of some hardwares primarily over a six month period and alarm bells don't sound when you buy a new video or sound card to replace an existing one.

Some three items added to the same board was allowed. With the amount of change there. You need to take into acount this as well as the new hardware profile that will be needed. When initially installing XP for the first time here Windows had a slight "ut oh" and needed to be reinstalled. Like I was referring to earlier the second installation had to be called in since it failed to see actuvation that soon. In addition to that dilemna a clean install now will result in better overall system performance without the old drivers for the board and video card still trying to load. That can see driver clashes and system locks due to any conflicts. A brand new registry is also a benefit since you won't have things no longer used remaining there as well.

Hey OvenMaster I'm almost due for the XP Home primary's yearly drive wipe. I almost forgot! :eek: Since I unplugged the other two drives to isolate the mbrs for each version I'll need to clean the "boot" folder off for the previous RC1 installation. So far that's a stubborn folder to remove! :P
 
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