Vista continually restarts system

[blsabo]

I've been reading thru a bunch of your entries here and well didn't see anything like this...

Upgraded my computer - new case, mobo, processor, memory, video card. Planned to reuse HDDs, DVD. So I have 2 full systems minus the HDD. The old computer runs fine with the HDD with vista loaded, it boots normally.

I take that working HDD and hook it up to the new system and the system boots thru the bios screen, starts to load vista (shows the "traveling bar" across the screen) flashes a blue screen of death and restarts the machine. I cannot bring it up in safe mode either.

Mobo = asus M2N-E SLI, AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+, Corsair 800 memory (2 x 1gb), with XFX 8600 GT video card.

Any help would be appreciated! The HDD still works on the old system, vista boots normally, all is well... but I'd really like to use the new stuff

 

[wolluf]

The installation you have has installed drivers for the 'old' hardware - so when you put it in the new hardware, you get a problem. If you boot from your Vista install DVD with the drive in the new hardware and use its repair feature, it will probably boot ok after repair. But then you will have the licence/activation issue - the copy of Vista is licenced for the old hardware. If you are just moving it and your version of Vista allows this, you should be able to reactivate (may need to talk to MS) after the repair has worked. Otherwise, you'd need a new copy of Vista.

 

[linney]

Ditto on "wolluf's" comments about Activation and Licensing, Microsoft are pretty good on helping you transfer a License from an old machine to a new machine.


Move an IDE Drive w/Windows 2000 or XP to A New System

http://www.mostlycreativeworkshop.com/News-article-sid-11-mode-thread.html

Moving a Hard Drive to a new computer!
thread779-954941

These articles may give you some ideas. It wont hurt to read them.

Move an IDE Drive w/Windows 2000 or XP to A New System

http://www.mostlycreativeworkshop.com/News-article-sid-11-mode-thread.html

Moving a Hard Drive to a new computer!
thread779-954941

How to Move a Windows XP Installation to Different Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314070&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

249694 - How to Move a Windows 2000 Installation to Different Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;249694&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://www.mostlycreativeworkshop.com/article11.htm

 

[blsabo]

Thanks all, many good suggestions...

Wolluf I did try to repair that copy of Vista and it didn't work. I forgot to add that in my original post.

I have been told that using sysprep.exe may also help, but have never used it before either.

Lots of good stuff there linney - I'm going to be doing the same thing shortly to my computer and am running XP as opposed to vista and these are exactly what I'll need for that.

 

[blsabo]

Just to let you know... none of this works with Vista. The only way to switch is to reload...

 

[wolluf]

blsabo - can you be more explicit. I know the repair feature of Vista works in more mundane circumstances, please let us know exactly what you mean (reload - new install?). Helps other readers of this thread.

 

[blsabo]

Yes I mean new install. We tried everything, finally talked to a friend who is an MCSE and after some superlatives about Vista said the only way to fix it is to do a new install of Vista.

We did, it all works now.