Hard Drive No Longer Recognized...Please Help!!

[argmebucko]

[icecube]

Hi argmebucko

If you boot into windows OK, right click on the problem drive and select Properties Then click on tools and select "Check Volume for errors" Looks like you might have messed up your boot record for that drive.

The other thing worth mentioning, if you change out motherboards, don't expect your old XP hard drive to to even boot. The reason it won't boot is because its loading the wrong MB drivers. You literally have to install windows over the top in order to be able to use the drive. That takes about the same amount of time as a new install.

[argmebucko]

When you install windows over on the old hard drive, doesn't it format it?

[icecube]

No, it shouldn't.

When you boot from the cd you will get the repair or new install routine.

Pick new install. It will click along and then tell you that it found a previous version on the hard drive. At this point choose the repair option.

Here is a link that may explain it better

This is what I do when I replace a bad motherboard that doesn't match the original.

Make sure you have your product key before you start this procedure. It will ask for it. If you can't find it, Google "Magic Jelly Bean" and you will have the program that will give you your product key.

Also it's a very good idea to uninstall any virus scan software before you start.

Another thing to remember, if your install disk doesn't have service pack 2 on it, you need to remove service pack two from the hard drive before you attempt to install windows over the top.

Now you know why people pay me to do this for them. This is a brain transplant. It's not complicated if you follow the directions, but it is time consuming

Hope this helps