Can't access hard drive contents after motherboard upgrade

[sarah_jc]

I'm hoping someone can help me out...I decided to have a go at upgrading my motherboard and processor, but keep all my other old components. What I didn't realise (until reading some of the posts here), was that I should have planned to reinstall the OS (WinME) after upgrade.

I didn't do that, but instead used the existing hard disk with the new setup.
PC started booting ok, got as far as the 'Windows ME loading' screen, but then came up with the Win Me startup menu and the error 'Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Use SCANREG to correct this error'.

If I load windows in safe mode, then I have the safe mode screen with no options and can't do anything, and if I boot to DOS then it seems as though the content of drive C is not visible, and so don't have access to the default set of tools such as SCANREG etc. Have also tried adjusting the CMOS settings, but with no luck.......

I hoped that if I put the hard disk back in the old setup, I might be able to get at the data to rescue some of my files that aren't backed up, but I now get the same problem with both the new and the old setup!! Surely the fact that windows comes up must mean the data on C is still ok?!?! There must be something that can be done to reinstate access?

Any ideas, anyone??? I really need to rescue that data!

Old motherboard: Asus A7A266
New Motherboard: Biostar M7NCD
Hard disk: Fujitsu MPG3409AH-E

[Bovon]

Try a boot disk to get to the A: prompt, see if you can change to a C: prompt..if you can get to a C: prompt, type DIR and hit enter..you should be able to see what is on the C: drive.

You can try to reload ME back over itself from DOS..you do this by getting yourself a bootdisk with the CD ROM drivers on it (bootdisk.com).

Doing a scanreg in the new setup won't work because the registry was setup for the older board.

The way to swap a hard drive from one motherboard to another (especially if the chipsets are different) you go to device manager on the final boot into Win before the swap, highlight and remove all drivers type setups, IDE, sound, cdroms etc. etc., then, when installed in a new board, most times it will boot, and Windows will find and reinstall all of the devices you removed...many times this will satisfy the system and will work. (sometimes not).

I missed the point that you can get into Windows in safe mode. If you can, go into device manager..highlight and remove all devices there...don't worry, Windows will find them and reinstall them if you are ever able to make a normal boot.

I have done the Windows reload several times to repair a problem similar to this...but, I do not think Win2K or XP will allow a reinstall like Win9x will back over itself.

BTW, Welcome to Techimo

If you need further directions to reload Windows from DOS...let us know what you need.

[hulkMAD]

is it possible to get a new hard disk (lets call it hdd 0), install it in ur new computer as primary master, load Windows ME onto it, then install the old hard disk (hdd 1) into primary slave or whatever, boot with hdd 0, and access the hdd 1 through My Computer or something to retrieve the files?

[Chuckiechan]

Yes, you can cut and paste your files. You will have to reinstall your programs.

I would format and install the new drive with the old one disconnected for now, and set them both to cable select with your new one at the end. When you are done, plug the old one into the middle and it will be a "D" drive. (assuming you have no other partitions).

I would recommend you do this anyway for a seprate physical backup incase your primary HDD dies or gets corrupted.

[sarah_jc]

Thanks for all your help!

Bovon - I can boot into DOS and get a C prompt, but I don't get the usual set of windows stuff, just some 'default' files which are loaded at the point I try to access C. All my previous stuff is not 'visible'.

Also, I didn't want to reload ME, as won't that overwrite the files that are there? They are there, but I just need to be able to see them!!!

Although I can get into safe mode, there are no options and no menu. So I don't think I can run any of the things you suggested.

Chuckiechan - I can't cut and paste my files as I can't get to them in the first place!!!

I don't currently have a second hard drive, but is it looking as though that is my only option???? Buy a new one have that as the master, and the try to access the old one as the slave?? I only want to go out any buy new stuff if it's the only option!

[Bovon]

Go to the following URL...if you go to the first URL, click on the word "bootdisks" in the next line...or...you can maybe click on the second URL and go directly to the page with the Win98Se Custom file...in any event, please download and create a boot disk by using the boot98sc.exe file you will download...the boot disk created when this file is executed will contain all you need to reload WinME from a DOS prompt.

http://www.bootdisk.com/

DOS - Windows 9X/Me/NT/2K/XP Excellent Bootdisks

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Windows 98 SE Custom, No Ramdrive | Alt1 | Alt2
(Windows Me Custom, No Ramdrive | Alt may do the same as the Win98SE above, but I do not know this, and the Win98SE I have suggested will work for all).

After downloading this file, put a blank...formatted diskette in your A:\ drive, and execute this file (name after/during downloading is...boot98sc.exe)

This will create a bootable disk for you to use to boot to an A:\prompt..it will also load CD rom drivers if needed to reload Windows from DOS.

Reboot with the diskette in your A:\ drive..this should bring you to an A: prompt

Type C: at the A:\ prompt (hit enter), ..now, you should have a C:\> prompt...if you do, type DIR and hit enter...this should allow you to see all of the folders on your C: drive...and let you know that they are still there.

You can now place your WinME install disk in your CD drive, and do an install over top of the WinME system that is now non functional... I have done this a lot, and it has never overwritten or deleted other data files..it simply over writes and replaces corrupt or missing files that Windows knows should be there.

When you boot up on this new disk, and it takes you to an A:\ prompt..it will also assign drive letter(s) for your CD drives...make a note of the drive letters it assigns...so that you can put your install CD into the correct drive...if you have more than one CD drive.

[sarah_jc]

Just wanted to say thanks for the help!

Turned out the problem was really that Norton Go Back was installed in Me prior to Mobo change, so couldn't get into the hard drive contents after changing the hardware!! Put everything back to the old configuration and removed Norton Go Back and then could get into the C drive on the new setup and was able to get everything set up properly!

Am now working away on my new improved PC!
Thanks again!

[ZeR0]

If you want it new and improved dump ME...

[Chuckiechan]

Quote:

Put everything back to the old configuration and removed Norton Go Back

So you are saying you had to "go back" and then delete Norton "Go Back" before you could go foreward and install correctly?

This is a good argument for a second HDD as a slave when you have data you can't feel happy about losing. You can still have an o/s on the back up drive for sanity sake, even though you won't see it as a slave unit. You can buy any old clunker for a back up. I got a Seagate 100G ATA 100, for about $65.00 or so with rebate, and I run on a Maxtor 80G ATA 133 (?). The Maxtor is definately faster.

Then do regular backups of "My Documents" to the secondary hard drive. Also, find what files to save on games so you can return to where you were. As well as your bookmarks and address books on your browser.

Glad you got it all sorted out...

[sr71000]

what i love to do is this...take a hard drive and make two partitions...one with windows any my programs...the other with all my files.....if i need to reformat windows..i do it..and reinstall all my programs...but all my files are still right there just like having a second hard drive exept cheeper (until the whole thing dies...lol) also..if you do this in a raid 1 you have a high level of protection and easy fix if the windows crashes. if you have just a regular raid and something happens to windows, like a virus or something....both drives are messed up, including your files....haven't tried it..but it sounds like a good idea