I've got the solution for you on the new xp!!! Don't buy a new cd yet!

You need to get to the recovery console, it looks and works much like dos.
You then need to copy
from C:\WINDOWS\repair\SAM (Note: SAM is the filename)
to C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\
and Copy
C:\WINDOWS\repair\system (Note: system is the filename)
to C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\

If I remember right these are the only 2 files you need to copy over to
change a motherboard out. I did this the last time I ugraded so I didn't
have to re-install everything on my computer. When windows booted up the
first time it just said found new hardware for all of the new devices that
my motherboard had that the old one didn't.

Hope that helps some.. If you don't understand how to use DOS then you
should probably just put the hdd in a working computer to copy the files in
windows.

- Mike

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
HI AGAIN everybody !

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
Adrian wrote:
HI Michael

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
Adrian wrote:
HI Mike
Thanks for the reply

Michael Kennedy wrote:
Have you tried basic troubleshooting like removing all the drives and
cards
and reseating the memory then powering it up? If that doesn't work,
remove
everything except the processor and power it up. It should give you
some
beep codes (memory or video) if the board and processor are working.

- Mike

Yup - tried all that.... no change to the reported symptoms.

I've just ordered a 'drop in' motherboard bundle - let's hope that
fixes
it (after all - there's not much else to go wrong !)

I had a dead computer donated recently that had a bad momentary
switch. Gateway had used some strange type of black glue to hold it to
the front of the cabinet, and it had softened up to the point it would
slide back in its mount instead of letting the plunger move. A quick
cleaning and some decent glue, and it works OK.


Nice one !
Nothing quite so 'simple' in this case - unless you count motherboard
replacment as 'simple'. Guess it's simple - but not inexpensive....g

Ah well - wait for the nice parcel delivery man later today...

Regards
Adrian


Actually, with that Gateway case replacing the motherboard would have
taken less time. I just wanted to point out the fact that there are a
lot of odd failures that can be overlooked. I repair a lot of stuff
that the local computer stores toss out just to keep my skills sharp. I
spent years troubleshooting complex and expensive SMD PC boards on a
production line under a stereo microscope.


Been there - done that ! Fun, eh ??

Anyway - good news - got the nedw kit.
Bad news - (as I think somebody on here predicted) WinXP doesn't like new
motherboards. Have tried the 'restore' cd that came with the original PC -
and, fater lots of pretending to install windows it ends up with a Blue
Screen - a a 'stop error' - STOP 0x00000024
and NTFS.sys reported error.

So - I guess I need to buy a new copy of XP ??

My wife's already asked 'How much cheaper would it have been to buy a
complete new PC ?'
Good question g

Bl++dy XP, rotten Microsoft, bother said Pooh !

Thanks for any suggestions
Adrian
Suffolk UK