Computer Repair

ThemeOne

I recently had to send a desktop computer back to Zoostorm as it had memory issues.

Zoostorm said their investigation process would wipe the hard drive, so I should make backups of all operating systems beforehand, and restore when the machine was returned. I had Windows 7 and Linux installed, so duly made backups of both.

The machine came back yesterday. They appear to have installed a new, and slightly different motherboard into the same case.

I restored Windows 7 from my backup, but have been unable to boot into it so far, despite numerous attempts at Windows Repair. Linux, for some reason, had not been wiped, so was able to boot back into that without problem.

Would I be right in saying that you cannot restore Windows onto a machine with a different motherboard?

NiftyDigits

ThemeOne wrote: »

I recently had to send a desktop computer back to Zoostorm as it had memory issues.

Zoostorm said their investigation process would wipe the hard drive, so I should make backups of all operating systems beforehand, and restore when the machine was returned. I had Windows 7 and Linux installed, so duly made backups of both.

The machine came back yesterday. They appear to have installed a new, and slightly different motherboard into the same case.

I restored Windows 7 from my backup, but have been unable to boot into it so far, despite numerous attempts at Windows Repair. Linux, for some reason, had not been wiped, so was able to boot back into that without problem.

Would I be right in saying that you cannot restore Windows onto a machine with a different motherboard?

Have you tried BCDEDIT? You may also need different Drivers.
Perhaps easier to run a clean install of Windows 7 and then to move your data over.

Ianh82

it should work fine if it wasn't wiped but you'd need to install all the mobo drivers and chipset drivers. best is to do a clean instal though and attach the drive to a caddy before hand to get your data off it.

ThemeOne

I have tried bcdedit via recovery console, though it didn't improve matters.

I'm quite happy to do a re-install, but my main worry is activation. Is it possible to backup activation for Windows and Office, from a situation like this where you can't actually boot into Windows?

Robisere

It may be that you have a different motherboard with a different processor. Contact Zoostorm and ask them what model board and processor they fitted, and ask for advice about reinstalling.

If (for example) you previously had an Intel board and processor (CPU) and they then fitted an AMD board & CPU, that would be the reason why you cannot reinstall. It works both ways: I originally had an AMD CPU in one computer, but fitted a new board with an Intel CPU. I learned the hard lesson that I could not reinstall. Eventually I bought a new AMD board and CPU, but I used Windows 7's own Transfer Wizard to transfer all my files and folders to an external hard drive. Then I completely reinstalled Windows 7 from my own disc, before installing all my programmes and files.

NiftyDigits

ThemeOne wrote: »

I have tried bcdedit via recovery console, though it didn't improve matters.

I'm quite happy to do a re-install, but my main worry is activation. Is it possible to backup activation for Windows and Office, from a situation like this where you can't actually boot into Windows?

With Zoostorm it would usually be just a matter of using the Product key on the COA or using Belarc to save the keys.
Which version of Windows 7 was installed? Home Premium? 32 or 64 bit? How much RAM is installed?

Is there a COA product Key?

ThemeOne

Original and new motherboard are both AMD processors.

The system was bought with no OS, so provided my own, which is W7 Enterprise 64bit. I should have activations remaining on the volume licence but on the other hand I don't want to waste one unnecessarily.

Before I go down that road, however, is there anything further I should do to try and get the OS I restored from backup to boot?

NiftyDigits

ThemeOne wrote: »

Original and new motherboard are both AMD processors.

The system was bought with no OS, so provided my own, which is W7 Enterprise 64bit. I should have activations remaining on the volume licence but on the other hand I don't want to waste one unnecessarily.

Before I go down that road, however, is there anything further I should do to try and get the OS I restored from backup to boot?

You'll need to identify the Motherboard exactingly.

Sending you a PM.