New system/old IDE HD - No boot

IggyStooge · 25 Nov 2008 at 16:12

Hello

Ive just built a new system for a relative and am using their old HD (Samsung Spinpoint) from the previous system. HD works as its been tested. Its getting to the Windows XP bit then I get a quick blue screen (too fast to read it) and it restarts. Im not sure whats wrong or what I can do to sort the prob.

Could it be because the HD was used on another system and therefore has that sytems drivers etc.

Anyone have any ideas please?

bledd · 25 Nov 2008 at 16:14

yes

you should never 'swap' the motherboard from a windows install, unless the motherboards are near as dammit the same, you'll always get problems

you can do a 'repair install' using an xp disc and it should work fine

newer hard drives will slay IDE drives in terms of performance though, i'd consider getting a 320gb WD blue or Samsung F1 as a main drive and installing Vista on it

IggyStooge · 25 Nov 2008 at 16:18

Does doing a repair install mean all the data on it will be lost?

If the drive was mine itd be long gone but its for a relative whose not really into computers, shes just wants it working again.

bledd · 25 Nov 2008 at 16:27

iirc.. it'll be a fresh windows install, but all other files will be fine.. (programs will need reinstalling, but they'll be on the drive)

i'd just get a sata drive and once it's setup, copy data from the ide.. then format it