Am I expecting too much?

kennethsross · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:08

Youngest one's computer packed in. Wouldn't post; PSU, RAM, hard drives and graphics card all OK. Since it was a Socket A board, there was little point in trying to identify whether it was CPU or m/ board which had failed. Instead, bought a Celeron 420, and a Gigabyte 865 board, (£50 all in) with support for core duo and DDR ram.

Anyway, connected the HD with the OS (XP Home), but it won't boot. Just tries to boot, then restarts.

Am I asking too much, expecting this to work, or am I going to have to re-install the OS?

Nick644622 · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:14

You could try booting into safe mode but, yes, you are expecting a lot. Think of all the old hardware it is looking for & can't find, then all the new hardware that it does. Maybe a repair install would work, nothing much to lose by trying it except your time.

Daniel · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:16

You will have to re-install the OS as it was orignally setup for the old PC's cpu, memory and motherboard etc.

It keeps restarting because it knows it's wrong. If you install the OS you will then have a problem with the activation so will need another XP disc.

Nick644622 · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:18

"will need another XP disc" Is it OEM XP ? Missed that.

mame · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:34

Will need a reinstall of the OS. I've heard of people booting in safe mode and uninstalling all the chipset drivers and doing it that way but i would just re-install windows

lopkinfop · 11 Nov 2007 at 23:50

i have in the past changed HDs between 2 computers but both had the same CPU (3GHz prescott P4)

WJA96 · 12 Nov 2007 at 06:36

Daniel said:
If you install the OS you will then have a problem with the activation so will need another XP disc.

No, you don't - if it fails to activate when asked, just call the microsoft freephone number and explain that you have repaired a broken PC with the closest parts to the originals available and they will give you a reactivation code.

You will need an XP disc to install from though.

kennethsross · 12 Nov 2007 at 08:03

Thanks for all your help, guys.

I have the original (OEM) OS CD, so I will go ahead with a reinstall, and trust that Microsoft will activate it.

misterPK · 12 Nov 2007 at 09:09

I recently changed my motherboard and had no problem re-installing an OEM version of XP, it activated straight away without having to call anyone. Which was nice.

PK!