Re: How to recover system after replacing motherboard?

DanTech wrote:
What would I do? If the data on the hard drive is important, do what you can
to make sure it's backed up.

Then, with Win XP install cd, boot to cd and do a repair install of Win XP
(skip the first stop that gives you a repair option w/ recovery console;
accept the second repair option at the install options screen). This should
then find the drivers needed for the new motherboard AND keep the programs
and data available for use.

I've used this method in the past and had success--and that was being brave
as I didn't have the ability to backup the user data on the drive.

Dan
I'm not sure where all the data is, but I did save the "documents and
settings" directory contents by mounting the disk in another computer
(running Linux) and mounting the drive read only, then I copied the
directory to a free area in my Linux Home directory. (about 2gb of data!).

I also saved a few of my wife's personal directories. Some stuff I'm
not at all sure where it is. Like where does Netscape save email?
Hopefully buried under "documents and settings"!

Now I'll put the drive back in my wife's computer and try to restore
XP home.


"ken scharf" wrote:

I'm sure this question has been asked before. My wife's computer died
after a nearby lightning strike. The motherboard is toast, but the
hard disk is ok. I have replaced the motherboard with one that fit
in the case but is NOT the same as the old one (but somewhat similar
in that it still uses an AMD cpu and a VIA chip set, though not the
same ones as the original).

I have NOT yet tried to boot the system, though I have entered the
bios and seen that the hard disk is detected as before with the old
MB. I've been advised that I should

1: just let it boot and probably blue screen. Then re-install
XP home. Since I don't have the original CD (Compaq/HP) and even
if I did it wouldn't work since the original was a manufacturer
specific OEM version, I would need to get a new generic OEM copy
(or pay double for a boxed retail copy). I would then be able to
do a "new install"/"repair" type operation and recover all my files
and settings.

----or----

2: DON'T try the above, install fresh to a NEW hard disk and then
(somehow) copy my data files, programs, and settings from the old
disk (as a slave) to the new.


3: (Hybrid) Do 2, copy all user data and programs (maybe the entire
disk under a new folder on the new drive, then restrap the drives
to swap them around, then try 1. I now have a back up of the
original drive on the new drive just in case.


Opinion on this seems to be split on various forums. What is the
recommended procedure here?

.

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