New Motherboard, Windows 7 Won't Boot

[LICEBIT]

I just bought a new motherboard (ASRock 970M Pro3) and processor (FX-6300). I've switched everything out correctly but I cannot get Windows 7 to boot! I have tried s solutions from other threads, such as install your motherboard's drivers (both from the manufacturer's CD and the manufacturer's website. This includes AHCI, IDE, and RAID drivers. I installed them from system repair using DISM in console. The Windows boot up screen will show up, but the colored dots will form into the Windows symbol and then the computer will restart. Is there any solution to this other than reinstalling Windows?

 

[Darkbreeze]

What was your previous motherboard model?

 

[LICEBIT]

It was a FOXCONN 2AB1, I believe.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Are you trying to boot an installation that was operational with the previous system?

 

[ffg7]

I would says he did.

 

[LICEBIT]

Yes, the last time it worked was right before I turned off the computer to replace the motherboard

 

[ffg7]

windows has to be reloaded as too much of a hardware change for old windows to accept.

 

[LICEBIT]

Are you sure? This seemed to work for some people: http://www.dowdandassociates.com/blog/content/howto-repair-windows-7-install-after-replacing-motherboard/

 

[ffg7]

yes.

 

[Darkbreeze]

My suggestion would be to reinstall windows. If you need to put your old motherboard back and reboot the system to save/backup personal data to another location first, then do it. The issue here is probably twofold. One, you have a significant hardware change and it's likely causing a massive driver issue during windows attempt to boot the system using the old chipset drivers, and possibly other hardware that was onboard as well like different storage controllers, PCI devices, etc.

Two, your old board was likely not a UEFI BIOS and this board is. That means there are a plethora of differences between the two including AHCI support.


There are a couple of things you can try first though, all in the BIOS.

First, try setting optimal defaults. Then try booting. If that fails to help then move on.

You can go into the advanced tab and try either enabling or disabling AMD AHCI BIOS ROM setting, depending on what it's set on now.


I guess it would help to know if your drive is IDE or SATA, as it seem both your old board and this one have IDE headers in addition to SATA.

Under Trusted computing, you can try either enabling, or disabling that feature, depending on what's currently set.

Make sure CSM (Compatibility support module) is enabled.

If none of this works, you will probably need to reinstall but I'd first try booting into safe mode to see if the system will boot using minimal generic drivers. If it will, boot safe mode with networking by pressing F8 at power on repeatedly until the advanced boot menu appears and select safe mode with networking. Once in windows try installing the necessary drivers for your motherboard from the included disk or download them from the motherboard's product page, which is probably the better of the two options.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Actually, I don't see any IDE headers on that board, so I don't know why the BIOS has IDE options. Ignore that question about IDE vs SATA.

 

[LICEBIT]

I have tried everything there, except I forgot about safe mode. I will try using safe mode, and if it doesn't work I will reinstall. As a side note, does Windows 8 have anything over Windows 7 gaming-wise?

 

[LICEBIT]

Safe mode didn't work. It made less progress than booting normally. I will reinstall Windows

 

[ffg7]

depends on the games but wait til win 10 comes out later this year.

 

[LICEBIT]

I can upgrade to 10 when the time comes. for now I am installing 8.1. Thank you both for the help

 

[Darkbreeze]

Actually, windows 8 has some minimal benefits over windows 7. Very minimal, but existent.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/11/24/battlefield_4_windows_7_vs_81_performance_review/5#.VSYRa-ktFhE

 

[Darkbreeze]

When you install, be sure to use the following CLEAN method and delete ALL the existing partitions, including system partitions, and install to the unallocated space without creating any new partitions. Windows will create the necessary system and OS partitions and perform any formatting that's necessary. This way you eliminate any chance of an old boot partition being the cause of further troubles. Also, make sure AHCI is enabled in the BIOS before installing. In case you didn't already know that which you probably did.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html


Good luck to you Licebit. BTW, that's a pretty funny user name. Lice bit. Heh.