StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Hello, I return with yet another of my insane computer problems...

Okay, so my computer died originally because the processor broke, and a couple of the pins got stuck in the motherboard, thus causing me to have to change both.

So, I'm using another case right now that has a new motherboard and processor, and a bunch of other things, too. So, hardware changes for everything but the HDD and the CD-ROM.

When we try to start the computer in safe mode, it gets stuck at mup.sys. I've read here and there this is probably due to the hardware changes, and I've gotten a few suggestions here and there, but have lost track of, well, all of them. So my question is: how can I fix this and get my computer running again with the new hardware?

Uh, I don't think you can make XP work with an original installation if you change the motherboard. I've just reinstalled when this has happened in the past.

THere was some procedure I used to get windows to run both inside VMWare and as a real boot using hardware profiles and swapping out the hard drive controller drivers which might work, but it's a lot easier just to reinstall (I got it to work once, but couldn't again).

Do an re-installation on top of your existing XP install. There is a method to get your computer working when you change motherboards, but it requires some work before the swap.

Okay, then my major question is will this reinstall affect my HDD files? It came partitioned (one drive has the OS, the other has all my crap).

Theory says no it won't fuck your data. Your programs will have to have their start menu/quicklaunch shortcuts rebuilt (or just reinstall the programs), but your data should be kosher.

Okay, so then how do I go about getting to reinstall said XP? (Must acquire disc, ugh.)

Second question - will an upgrade to XP Pro SP2 work the same as a reinstall?

*bump* hate to bump, i really do, but need this particular question answered.

also, how can i get this to get to the point where i can put in this upgrade disc i have, or do i need the boot disc before i can do anything in the first place?

Rye wrote:Uh, I don't think you can make XP work with an original installation if you change the motherboard. I've just reinstalled when this has happened in the past.

I actually successfully did that when I upgraded from my old Duron 900 on an Asus A7V-133 to my current A64 3200+ on an Abit AV8. No idea exactly why it worked, though. I still ended up having to reinstall about 6 months later because of Windows rot, anyway.

Executor32 wrote:I actually successfully did that when I upgraded from my old Duron 900 on an Asus A7V-133 to my current A64 3200+ on an Abit AV8. No idea exactly why it worked, though. I still ended up having to reinstall about 6 months later because of Windows rot, anyway.

You had roughly the same chipset family on your motherboard, so all remained well.

haas mark wrote:*bump* hate to bump, i really do, but need this particular question answered.

also, how can i get this to get to the point where i can put in this upgrade disc i have, or do i need the boot disc before i can do anything in the first place?

*bump* Please, help! I don't mean to one-line, but this issue needs attention!

How many times do I have to bump this before someone answers my question? Or if no one knows said answer, it'd be nice to know that, too.

You'll be able to boot with the upgrade disc. Depending on your current BIOS settings, you might have to go in there and set it to boot from CD before trying to boot from the HD. In order to use the upgrade disc, you'll need to have the disc for a previous version of Windows (9x/ME/2000) handy. The XP installer will ask you to insert your previous version Windows disc, to verify that you qualify for the upgrade version. If you don't have a disc for a previous version of Windows (which you should, since you have an upgrade cop of XP), then you're pretty much SOL unless you know someone that has one.

Executor32 wrote:You'll be able to boot with the upgrade disc. Depending on your current BIOS settings, you might have to go in there and set it to boot from CD before trying to boot from the HD. In order to use the upgrade disc, you'll need to have the disc for a previous version of Windows (9x/ME/2000) handy. The XP installer will ask you to insert your previous version Windows disc, to verify that you qualify for the upgrade version. If you don't have a disc for a previous version of Windows (which you should, since you have an upgrade cop of XP), then you're pretty much SOL unless you know someone that has one.

Well, it'd be an upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro...

Well, it'd be an upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro...

If your OS is on a separate partition, what do you have to lose? Try it.
My previous experience with windows tells me that it will probably work, but it depends on how many system files it replaces.

The XP installer should be able to find your old version of Windows on the disk, and use that as an upgrade. From what I remember though, if you try and install it on the same partition, it'll destroy your old Documents and Program Files folders to make way for the new installation, so put it on a separate one if you can.

I believe its non-destructive, however it doesn't sync your old data to the newly created user so its not obvious at first - ie if you had an account named John and you create an account named John in the new installation, it won't link your old files to that account but will rather create an account that is, in reality, John (1) (or something like that, its been pretty long since I had to deal with the issue), while displaying John in the user friendly regions.

To access your old data you have to manually go with explorer (mush have "show hidden files enabled" into the "Users and Settings" folder and copy over the data from the old account to the new one.

You should still be able to install it from the upgrade disc, just insert the XP Home CD when prompted for a previous install disc.

Okay, so then either way I need the Home install disc... greeeeat.. I don't have one because it was built-in and Compaq are pieces of shit like that.

I don't have any Windows disk for my bought and paid for legit install, either. HP laughs at me when I ask for one.

haas mark wrote:Okay, so then either way I need the Home install disc... greeeeat.. I don't have one because it was built-in and Compaq are pieces of shit like that.

"Acquire" one. As long as you have a legit license its legal.

Netko wrote:

haas mark wrote:Okay, so then either way I need the Home install disc... greeeeat.. I don't have one because it was built-in and Compaq are pieces of shit like that.

"Acquire" one. As long as you have a legit license its legal.

So then I just need the number off the side of my case?

Assuming thats your CD Key, correct.