Questions for replacing old motherboard with a new motherboard, then dealing with Operating System.

Christianopablo

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Sep 19, 2014
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Okay, please read VERY carefully. I had an old motherboard that wore out (black screen, keyboard and mouse not working, the works) So I replaced it with a new motherboard (ASUS M5A97 AM3). Hard ware installation was no problem, could've done it blind folded; however, it was when I first turned the computer on that problems began. The screen splashed on, then it tried to go to the windows loading screen, this was stopped short and then I got the options of "running system repair" or "starting in normal mode". I selected "run system repair" for good measure. It found problems and to make a long story short, it couldn't fix them and every time I tried to reboot, it would continue to give me the same messages with no different outcomes. I tried to select the "start in normal mode" option a few times, but itd just take me back to the same screen. Upon research, I found that when installing a new motherboard, it is often necessary to also re-install the Operating System. They also say that when doing this, it will perform a "clean reinstall", as many of you know, and that this will wipe out my hard drive's contents entirely, unless I have a back up CD. The problem is, the first motherboard failed so unexpectedly, that I couldn't create a new restore CD. I certainly do not want to lose all of my data and documents. I am a writer, and dozens of my documented writings would just be gone, forever. To get to my point finally, what can i do to get this new motherboard to operate correctly with the old Hard drive, without having to lose all of my data? Useful information and straight answers would be exceptionally helpful. Thank you.
 
the first issue is that windows is trying to load itself with older mb drivers. if you can hit f8 safe mode and get into windows then go into the windows system device manager and remove all of the drivers and then reboot. if your lucky windows will boot fine in normal mode then you add the new mb drivers from the mb drivers cd. if you cant get into windows that way you can make a hirem boot cd or usb stick and boot into there mini xp boot. if it boots fine you should be able to read the hard drive data. make a google drive account (15g) of online free storage and copy your data off the old drive onto online storage. dell or hp restore disk wont work any more...look for dell or hp bios and wont find it. you have to download from online a new xp or window 7 iso disk and use the oem number on the case. (to do a clean wipe and reinstall). if you cant get to your files that way then plug the drive into another pc or pick up a usb to isd/sata hard drive cable kit (20-30) online. plug your drive into a working pc with a usb port and copy your files off that way and then wipe.
 
The old motherboard drivers are not compatible with your new motherboard. You can do an installation where it does not wipe the hard drive - I would suggest plugging your hard drive into another computer and backing it up, or do like swifty said and get a new hard drive and install the operating system on it, then copy your data files to the new hard drive (you can use the old drive as a backup drive or additional data drive).
 

Christianopablo

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Sep 19, 2014
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First off, thank you all so much for responding. This information is much better to go off of at least as a good start compared to the previous information I was getting through shitty customer support that that didn't even know what a motherboard was. I see that this is going to be more expensive of a fix than i was hoping, but i think itll be worth it in the long haul. So after installing the OS on the new hard drive, you're saying that I can just pop the old one back in, copy its files to the new one, and then it can just sit there idle as an additional drive?
 

Christianopablo

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Sep 19, 2014
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And by initailly connecting the old one to the motherboard/power supply while the new one is there, will there be any trouble occurring with boot up again?
 

Christianopablo

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Sep 19, 2014
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hmmm, okay. Makes enough sense. Okay, one more question for now: The original motherboard and hard drive came in a pre assembled computer from best buy with the OS pre installed, so i dont have a disc or key to perform the reinstall. Am i just going to have to purchase a brand new windows seven licence with install disc?
 
If you have the product key (either a piece of paper or a sticker on the PC), you can download the operating system from Microsoft.

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Make sure you get the right version - or your product key won't work.
 

Christianopablo

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Sep 19, 2014
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I do not have the product key, but yall have opened up many solutions and options i did not have before. This may still take awhile to resolve, but the feeling of hopeless frustration is now relieved. Thank you all so much. I will be purchasing a new CD license, a new hard drive, and the cord you mentioned. The steps I will take will be in this order: Install new hard drive, install the OS onto the new drive, plug the cord connected to the old hard drive into a laptop, back up the files onto some sort of drive/cd (??), copy the old files onto the new hard drive, install the old hard drive, but utilize it is an additional drive.
 
save yourself 30.00 for the cord. just unplug the data cable on the hard drive and install the new drive and os on the new drive. then shut down and plug the data cable back in. when you do it this way new os will see the old drive and let you move the data to the new drive then you can wipe the old drive.
 
I can't read through all these but.......... after installing all your drivers and operating system and updates.......... and after you are idling at desktop.......... hot swap the old drive. then do a reboot. windows should find the old drive in a minute. after it installs drivers for it ( it self installs, just wait ).......... you can then go my to computer or my computer. when it opens you should see the old drive ( letter ) double click to open. your data should be there.

( old drive is a sata drive )?