Stuck in a reset loop after installing a new motherboard!

Spuff · 8 Feb 2013 at 17:11

I've just installed a new Asus motherboard, upgraded from my Gigabyte one. But when I try to start windows 7, it gets as far as the starting up splash screen and then just resets!

I've tried all the Windows repair tools and still no success (system restore, command prompt bootrec.exe, Windows automatic fixy thing). I also have Ubuntu on this machine too, which boots up no problem (I'm currently using it!).

I can't find my original Windows 7 Home Premium disc anywhere to do a repair install. The only thing I can think to do is use Ubuntu as a 'life boat' to copy my data and documents over and do a fresh install with a different copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that I have. Is this pretty much my only hope??

Meekal · 8 Feb 2013 at 19:17

Hi Spuff,

Because you have installed your new hardware, it is not recognized by your current installation of Windows 7 on your Hard Drive. Ubuntu Treats it a bit differently and this is why this will still work.

The best thing to do, is as you suggested, Copy the files over through Ubuntu and perform a complete re-installation of Windows 7.

We even have some problems transferring Hdd's from the same models of laptops and computers in work, and then when we put it back in the original, all is fine.

Regards
Meekal

Antar Bolaeisk · 8 Feb 2013 at 19:21

If you can set up with your old motherboard again you can run sysprep with the generalise option which will allow you then to boot with the new motherboard.

Failing that I've had some success with this method in the past: http://www.dowdandassociates.com/content/howto-repair-windows-7™-install-after-replacing-motherboard

Or you can use third party software with a restore to alternate hardware option.

Edit: You might also want to take an image of your drive before you do stuff like this in case you irreparably screw your OS.

Spuff · 8 Feb 2013 at 22:38

Just to update you guys...

As luck would have it, I found my original Windows 7 Home Premium disk ... but it would not allow me to run a repair install from it for some stupid reason! Some error message about compatibility blah blah blah...

But I installed Windows 7 Ultimate over the top of Ubuntu (I didn't use it much anyway!) and copied everything vital from the drive with the install that wouldn't boot to another hard drive, and just reinstalled Windows and copied everything back.

Everything is fine now, except that I need to reinstall all my programs ... but I guess the moral of the story is ... always have more hard drives than you normally need!