Computer Not Booting, hardware problem?

Hatake

Hatake

Hatake

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Glasgow, Scotland
I recently purchased the basics of a new computer. I bought a graphics card, motherboard, procesor, and ram. I replaced all the parts from my old system with the new ones and now it doesn't boot up windows.

I'm running an OEM version of Windows XP Home so I don't know if it's not booting because I've changed too many parts from the OEM spec. I've also tried running Ubuntu linux from a live CD but thats not worked either. It mentioned something about timing and kernel errors but I think thats related more to Linux than Windows itself.

When I try to turn it on, the computer boots up and I can get into the BIOS settings. The BIOS shows the correct ram and processor as well as all the old hard disks and DVD drives. I made sure it's booting from the correct hard disk and exited out of the BIOS.

After that, the Windows loading screen shows up for a split second then a blue screen flashes and the computer restarts. It does this every time, it gets to the point where you would be waiting on windows to load, and just flashes a BSOD and restarts. The BSOD flashes too quickly for me to read what the error message is before it restarts so I don't know what the problem is.

Does anyone know what the problem might be? Have I missed some sort of BIOS setting that I'm supposed to fix or is it an actual Hardware problem?
 
Can you list the parts you bought and the item from the old system?

If you are using an OEM copy from a pre-built PC you bought once, it may be that the copy of windows will only load with the hardware configuration with the PC you originally bought. Unless of course, it's an OEM copy you have bought seperately.
 
its an OEM copy of windows from a pre-built PC.

I swapped a MSI motherboard for a ASUS one, ATI GFX card for a nVidea one, some unbranded ram for Cosair, and an AMD Athlon XP for an Athlon 64 X2

So its pretty different from my old one. Need to get a copy of Windows Home edition before I can find out.

Does the problem I described sound like it could be a possible hardware fault in the slightest?

Just because I won't be able to get a Windows CD till next week, and if it is possibly hardware, I'll try and get one sooner.
 
I would say its probably a driver conflict. Try installing windows with all your onboard devices disabled, then when you have the manufacturers drivers enables them again one at a time
 
J.B said:
I would say its probably a driver conflict. Try installing windows with all your onboard devices disabled, then when you have the manufacturers drivers enables them again one at a time
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He can't. He's got one of those rescue disks (like laptops) if I understand correctly
 
Ok, you need to obtain a new copy of windows XP with SP2 already slipstreamed. Never use a copy that has been provided by a PC retailer as it has been specifically created with the components (ie.e chipset drivers) of the original machine in mind (like a rescue disk as someone here has already mentioned). Striclty speaking, you shouldn't under the licensing of an OEM OS, port the OS from one machine to another. You can only do this with a retail license.

Anyway, once you have your full copy of XP, you can determine if the problem is elsewhere. I very much doubt it is a hardware fault but you need to eliminate possible driver problems. You can only do this with a stable copy of windows.
 
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Admiral Huddy said:
Striclty speaking, you shouldn't under the licensing of an OEM OS, port the OS from one machine to another. You can only do this with a retail license.
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Am I really porting the OEM version from one computer to another? I've just upgraded the dated pre-built system. It's gotten to the extent that I've upgraded just about every original part, but its still the original computer in theory.

So does an OEM OS mean that its restricted to the main computer and upgrades are generally not allowed?
 
Yes you are. The license is paired with the motherboard which you have upgraded.

What are the differences between OEM and Retail editions?

With an OEM edition of Windows there are certain restrictions in the EULA which differentiate it from the full retail version.

Firstly, the OEM license is said to be ‘non-transferable’. This means that once the license has been attached to a particular PC, it cannot be moved to another, even if the OS has completely been removed from the first computer. The full retail version is slightly different. With the retail edition you are granted one concurrent license. This means that you can move the OS from one machine to another as long as you remove it from the first machine. It also means that you can change the hardware within the computer without it affecting the license validity.

Also, with the retail license you are entitled to free technical support from Microsoft. The OEM edition has support provided by the OEM itself and support may not be complete or free.

What components can I change in my system before I invalidate the OEM License?

There is a general consensus that the OEM license is paired with the motherboard. You can generally change any other component bar the case where the COA is attached. If you change the case, and the COA isn't physically attached, this breaks the terms of the EULA. Also, if you do buy a new OEM license, but don't attach the COA, the same applies, you are not licensed. If you change a significant amount of hardware you may be asked to reactivate, but this doesn’t mean that you are necessarily unlicensed.

However, you can change the motherboard under a warranty claim if the motherboard was faulty. A warrenty claim is defined as replacement of the original board from the company that your purchased it from, under a warrenty scheme. You cannot simply buy yourself another board if there was a problem with your existing motherboard and still be fully licensed. If you are simply upgrading for feature or performance enhancements, you would need a new OS license.
Click to expand...

from sticky in SW



However, like I said, If you have bought a full PC from a dealer, then it's likely that the XP Install disk has been specifically created to work for that PC. i.e. it has been setup with all the correct drivers and is effectively just a backup disk. So it is unlikely to work on any other build regardless of the licensing terms.

My suggestion is to purchase a copy of XP (OEM or Retail) and install it from there.
 
I see. I didn't realise OEM liscenses worked that way. Also found it a surprise that changing the case isn't allowed either. I changed my case long ago. Still got the old one kicking about though as the COA is stuck to the back of it.

I'll go and buy a retail version of Windows XP and try a fresh install on my computer. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and none of my new hardware is actually broken.
 
Retail licenses are quite expensive but you have the freedom to move them around machines.

OEM licenses can be purchased for around £95 for the XP pro edition. If you wpon't be upgrading your motherboard for a while, it be be ythe best option. It's upto you if you stick with it long term.. but you'll be breaching your license agreement.

:)
 
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