lmacmil
join:2001-01-26
South Bend, IN
| [XP Home] Mobo swap without repair install
I have two systems with the same brand (Epox) and very similar model (8RDA3+ and 8RDA3+ Pro) mobos. Northbridge is identical (nForce2-400) and Southbridge similar except for LAN supplier. They run the same video card, same manufacturer hard drive but different size. One runs XP Home and the other Win2k.
The mobo on the XP box sometimes takes several attempts to boot, freezing on the BIOS screen right after it says "detecting IDE drives." Boot failure occurs more often on warm starts than cold. Once running, it's very stable.
I would like to swap mobos to see if it is a mobo issue or a PSU issue (as some have suggested.) Given the similar configurations, do you think I can just swap mobos and let Windows detect the minor changes without having to do a repair install? |
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PetePuma
How many lumps do you want
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-13
Arlington, VA | If you're talking about swapping between your two boxes, it will probably work fine. |
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janderso1
Jim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-15
Saint Petersburg, FL | reply to lmacmil
If you are using an onboard Ethernet interface it is almost certain that you will have to reactivate XP.
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Jim Anderson |
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ChiTang
Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA | reply to lmacmil
If the sysrems are very similar, just swap the HD instead of MOBO. It sabes a lot of work.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| said by ChiTang  :If the sysrems are very similar, just swap the HD instead of MOBO. It sabes a lot of work. How is that going to diagnose a Motherboard or PSU problem?
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to lmacmil
said by lmacmil :The mobo on the XP box sometimes takes several attempts to boot, freezing on the BIOS screen right after it says "detecting IDE drives." Boot failure occurs more often on warm starts than cold. Once running, it's very stable. Do you own a ATX PSU tester? If not, I suggest you invest in a decent one (under $20.00).
Also, get a good look at all the caps on the motherboards and look for any with swollen tops. Even a small bump on the normally flat tops is a bad cap that needs replacement.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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ChiTang
Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
| reply to Doctor Olds
said by Doctor Olds :said by ChiTang :If the sysrems are very similar, just swap the HD instead of MOBO. It sabes a lot of work. How is that going to diagnose a Motherboard or PSU problem? You're right. Damn, I am dependent to coffee to function properly. 
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure. |
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scavio
Premium
join:2001-07-14
Melmac
clubs: 
| reply to Doctor Olds
said by Doctor Olds :said by ChiTang :If the sysrems are very similar, just swap the HD instead of MOBO. It sabes a lot of work. How is that going to diagnose a Motherboard or PSU problem? Why not just swap power supplies? No worries about activation. |
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Boricua65
join:2002-01-26
Puerto Rico
| reply to janderso1
said by janderso1 :If you are using an onboard Ethernet interface it is almost certain that you will have to reactivate XP. I serious doubt it will ask for activation. What Windows will do and install the correct drivers and override the previous LAN drivers.
As for my suggestion, first swap out the power supply as that is the easiest. If that doesn't work and take any add-in cards (video, audio, etc) and work your way from there. If it is still acting up, you can also check the mobo's site and see if there's a BIOS update for that issue. Lastly, swapping mobos would be the best option if all others fail.
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Yo te digo, el mundo esta jodido |
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salzan
Experienced Optimist
Premium
join:2004-01-08
WA State
1 edit | reply to lmacmil
If you're using SATA HDs, make sure the jumper is set to force 1.5 MB speed. I've had erratic behavior at boot with Epox boards by having the jumper off. (3.0 MB sec.)
They stop at exactly the same spot that yours is.
edit: This is the jumper I'm talking about:
»www.seagate.com/images/support/e···lock.gif
This is Seagate, check your manufacturers site if you have another brand. |
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ydoucare
join:2003-03-12
Rensselaer, IN
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·Sprint Mobile Broa..
1 edit | reply to lmacmil
Generally what i've run into is that if the mobo's use different sata or IDE controller drivers, you will fail to boot after the mobo swap (XP will BSOD on startup) unless you first revert to standard Microsoft IDE and Sata controller drivers before pulling the mobo out.
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Asus P5N-E SLI|E4500|2 GB DDR2 800|8800GT|Audigy + Front Bay|Hauppauge PVR-150MCE|Vista Ultimate + XP Pro SP2 dual boot|Sony Vaio VGN-CR290|Sprint Mobile Broadband|Netgear WGR614v8 |
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lmacmil
join:2001-01-26
South Bend, IN
| Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I hadn't thought about a PSU swap. The only problem with that is the PSU on the XP box is a "better" unit than the PSU on the Win2k box. Both are about the same age (only 1 year old). XP box has a Rosewill 430 watt unit. Win2k box has a Raidmax 380 watt unit that came with the case. Per the labels, the Rosewill provides more current on each rail than the Raidmax.
Using one of the online PSU calculators, it says I only need 250 watts which is another reason I'm skeptical about the PSU being the problem.
Bad caps has been suggested before and I did have an Epox mobo fail due to bad caps. This board doesn't exhibit any physical symptoms like bulging or leaking that were clearly visible on the board that failed but I obviously can't rule this out, which I why I am considering the mobo swap.
Anyway, I think my question has been answered and I can probably do the swap without having to do a repair install.
Thanks again. |
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grcore
New and Improved
join:2003-12-06
usa
1 edit | reply to lmacmil
check the memory and memory (memtest86) and voltage settings to make sure its set right. I have seen this before (recently).
g |
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hurfy
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Spokane, WA
| reply to lmacmil
Likewise don't rule out the PSU cause there is nothing obviously wrong there either 
I have had several flaky PSU lately. One tests fine but just won't work in a live system for long :/ It caused one computer to loss track of the HD for some reason it seems..... |
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8744675
join:2000-10-10
Decatur, GA
1 edit | reply to lmacmil
My mobo has a similar problem and it seems to be related to the BIOS. When I first bought it, the BIOS would not recognize my P4 processor, even though it was listed. On every boot, the BIOS told me it detected a new CPU and I had to set all the BIOS settings each time. I got an RMA and sent it for repair, and it did the exact same thing when I got it back. I finally bought a new processor that worked.
Now, if I do a warm reboot, the BIOS will hang while detecting the IDE drives. I have to turn it completely off, wait a while and then do a cold boot. I suspect the BIOS because sometimes it resets by itself when I reboot and I have to go in and change the settings back to what they were. Also, when I get into one of the BIOS sub-screens, I sometimes can't exit it without turning off the PC. I've reflashed the BIOS with newer versions and it didn't help.
I've always read good things about ASUS motherboards and this is the first one I've ever owned. It's been nothing but a dog since day one! |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs: | Have you ever replaced the CMOS battery? |
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