New Build Boot Help--Vista

[loshon]

Hey, so I just upgraded my computer with a Gigabyte DSR3 MB, an extra HD, Intel E6750 -2 Duo, and 2GB of G.Skill RAM. I am still using my old HD, because it has Vista on it. When I turn it on, the motherboard screen comes up, then some MS-DOS 'Memory Pool' things, then it wants me to start windows Vista. This machine used to have an AMD 3200 Core Solo.
Anyways, I can see the windows Vista loading bar and the 'Microsoft Corporation' words under the loading bar, just like normal. BUT then it goes back to the MB screen, on an infinite loop. I not sure what to do, so if anyone could help and tell me what to do so I could save everything on my old HD, use the new one, and get the computer booted up to Vista.

Thanks.

 

[cozumel]

It's probably loading all the wrong drivers for a different mobo. Easiest solution is to re-install from your Vista DVD.

 

[loshon]

Yeah, all I need to do is install the mobo drivers......but...how? I have an XP disc, should I use that? And I don't want to loose all my stuff on my HD. I don't know what to do, or how to do it.

 

[mechBgon]

If the Vista license is OEM, it shouldn't be re-used on a new mobo/CPU setup. If it's Retail, try booting from the DVD and doing a repair: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/m...ta_repair_from_DVD.jpg

 

[cozumel]

Maybe boot into safe mode using the option that allows you to decide which drivers to load and then uninstall all drivers from Vista using the system devices panel. You could then possibly restart into normal mode and download the correct drivers from the internet.

Edit: Your version of Vista is licensed I take it?

 

[cozumel]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
If the Vista license is OEM, it shouldn't be re-used on a new mobo/CPU setup. If it's Retail, try booting from the DVD and doing a repair: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/m...ta_repair_from_DVD.jpg

I think he's saying he doesn't have a Vista DVD...

 

[loshon]

I have a Retail Version of Windows Vista. It is licensed. I'll try the safe mode and the repair.

 

[loshon]

Okay, it says that it cannot automatically repair it when I use the repair thing on the Vista DVD. I can however open a console and I might be able to run the Drivers from the CDROM Drive through that. But....once again, I have forgotten how to get to the C:// drive. It says I am in the Administrator:X:Windows. Help? Is there anything else I should do? Should I install XP, then install the drivers there, then see if I can boot up Vista?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: loshon
Okay, it says that it cannot automatically repair it when I use the repair thing on the Vista DVD. I can however open a console and I might be able to run the Drivers from the CDROM Drive through that. But....once again, I have forgotten how to get to the C:// drive. It says I am in the Administrator:X:Windows. Help? Is there anything else I should do? Should I install XP, then install the drivers there, then see if I can boot up Vista?

If it were me, I would start by rescuing a copy of any important files/data I had, which you could do by either hooking the drive back up to the old hardware, or by slaving it into a working computer as a secondary drive. Along the way, it's likely you'll need to take ownership of certain folders. Anyhow, back up your stuff.

Given that the system has, in fact, been rebuilt, I think your best bet is going to be a proper Windows reinstall, despite the fact you'll have to reinstall your apps and stuff. If you do have the option to boot the drive on the old motherboard, run the Easy Transfer wizard to transfer over some of your settings and stuff (save the Easy Transfer data to a portable drive or DVD if possible).

If you did install WinXP, installing drivers in XP will not help Vista, so don't waste your time with that pursuit.

 

[loshon]

Okay. That I can not do. BUT! Could I Install Vista on my other new HD, the transfer the files that I need, THEN wipe the old HD? By the way, the files that I need to transfer are my iTunes, and a Finale product that I think I still have the installer to.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: loshon
Okay. That I can not do. BUT! Could I Install Vista on my other new HD, the transfer the files that I need, THEN wipe the old HD? By the way, the files that I need to transfer are my iTunes, and a Finale product that I think I still have the installer to.

If you decide to install Vista on the other new HDD, make sure you disconnect your previous hard drive while installing Vista, so that the bootloader doesn't end up on the old HDD. I haven't tried transferring iTunes music libraries, and a quick Google search didn't help answer that question, so maybe someone else has an insight on that.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: loshon
Okay. That I can not do. BUT! Could I Install Vista on my other new HD, the transfer the files that I need, THEN wipe the old HD? By the way, the files that I need to transfer are my iTunes, and a Finale product that I think I still have the installer to.

If you decide to install Vista on the other new HDD, make sure you disconnect your previous hard drive while installing Vista, so that the bootloader doesn't end up on the old HDD. I haven't tried transferring iTunes music libraries, and a quick Google search didn't help answer that question, so maybe someone else has an insight on that.

Whenever I do a format/clean-install of Vista, I back up my Music folder to another hard drive and then copy it back once the clean installation is complete. Then you just reinstall iTunes. It doesn't have to redownload my music, and my playlists are still there.

The part about disconnecting the old drive cable before Vista Setup is a really good idea. Vista can get its drive letters confused when installing to a different drive/partition than an existing Vista installation, so you can end up with the new Vista installation on a drive it refers to as F: It's annoying as heck, personally.

 

[loshon]

Thanks for the help! I made a partition in the new HDD, put XP on it, and I am going to reinstall Vista on my old HDD. How can I dual boot?

 

[robisbell]

install XP, then install Vista.