Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Can not get windows to open

Feb 29, 2016 6:52PM PST

My motherboard died so I decided to rebuild the whole computer. So after getting it together and Starting it up it gave me a BIOS error I could not figure out. So one of you guys suggested checking for a loose cable and after going over all the connections I found that I had the power cable for the hard drive plugged into Sata3 so I switched it to Sata1
Now I get Windows failed to start a recent hardware or software change might be the cause.
It then goes into Start up repair but it fails to fix it.

Any ideas as to what the problem and. Fix is.
Thanks

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Mobo
Mar 1, 2016 8:07AM PST

Unless the new mobo was an exact match to the old mobo it's doubtful windows will boot  too many things are different.

What your looking at is a reload of windows then the proper drivers and then your stuff from your backups.

- Collapse -
Answer
Reload the OS...has to be done
Mar 1, 2016 8:34AM PST

The other poster suggested the same thing and I agree. The OS knows from comparison that something has changed and certainly a different mtrbd. is that. No simple fix or s/w to get away from this. If you reload the OS, you may get it to reload as a separate install trying to keep the old install as "windows.old file. that way you old stuff is still available BUT don't try to run anything from it, just get the data and swap it over to the other re-installs of pgms. as well. Yes, it's real PITA but at least you keep the data, or buy another HD, keeping the old one unconnected and install OS to it, then swap data again repeating above. You can surf here or other forums, you'll get basically the same response but if it offers a miracle don't fall for that.

tada -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Answer
one other thing
Mar 1, 2016 12:43PM PST

if the operating system is oem, it cannot be transfered to a new motherboard unless you replaced it with the exact same motherboard. Different motherboard, different drivers. If the os if a full retail version or a new oem copy, then most likely it will have to be reinstall unless you can find the proper mb drivers.