Here is the scenario:

Bought a new motherboard/cpu and ram combo.
Thought I could get away without doing a fresh install. Didn't work. So thought I'd use my old combo, to move files on my main 80gb hdd to my 300. Then do a fresh install. Only my old graphics card decided to pack up. This is Problem 1.

Borrowed another graphics card, which also seemed not to work, so I borrowed the rest of the computer with it. The graphics card works fine in the pc it came with (one I built for a friend), so I'd thought I'd put my two hdd, in the working pc and transfer over that way. Doesn't work. Becaue my account was password preotected, I can't view it. Tried setting up another account on the pc the hdd is connected to, with same name and password, but still can't view the files. Problem 2.

How can I view these files, to move/delete them?

thanks in advance.

Oh, I'm online using my laptop, and I hate laptop keyboards, so ignore the misspellings etc.

 

Found it: XP Profile Password Protection - How do I disable it?

Might be helpful for some people.

Still in a bit of a dilemma, as the other pc is not accepting my 300gb SATA drive

But at least I can access my 80, to delete remove or stuff if I have to.

 

It's ALWAYS best to do a fresh install.

Regards, SATA, did your motherboard come with any drivers you can copy to floppy? During the start of windows install, it asks if you want to use a 3rd party driver. This is the time to give it the SATA driver on the floppy.

You can always buy a cheap external USB2.0 kit for your 80GB hard drive from somewhere like maplin.

Then, you can copy over what you like to your new 300GB system.

 

Yeah, usb would have been easier, but its ok now, because I have acces to the drive.

There is a SATA disk, but my 80gb is what I want to install a fresh OS onto, but I needed access to my 300gb SATA to transfer it over, so I can then install.

I've managed to get enough space to separate my 80gb out between two other drives.
I want to be able to save my outlook emails, so am trying to take as much of the old system as I can.

 

so are you sorted now ?

 

Sort of. I got the SATA drive working on the pc I borrowed, so transfered eveything else over to that. Do now I've given that back.
Only major problem seems now is that the new motherboard must be dead. I have had it working, when I got it a couple of days ago. I might have killed it by static. It sounds like its booting up, the cpu fan is going, and the mouse an keyboard lights up. But my monitor goes into power saving mode, because there cannot be any signal from from the mobo or onboard graphics.
Gonna take it all apart and double check everything, but I feel like giving up on it.
Thanks for asking though.

 

Did you upgrade the PSU to suit the power requirements of your new kit ?

 

PSU is a 650w, so should be more than capable.
I would have thought so, anyway.

 

Things to note:
Bent pin on the monitor cable (vga?)
Does the video card hardware need additional power ?
Short the bios reset jumper to take it back to default settings
It should POST without any floppy or hard drive even connected
Stick an older PCI video card in and see if you can get a display off that

 

Thanks for the tips, will check that out.
Was looking for a basic PCI video card recently. PC world or maplins, none of them do cheapo basic ones. The built in card doesn't need additional power.

Is it easy to kill a motherboard with static?

 

static, magnetic tip screwdrivers (!), dry joints, YES, they can die pretty easily!

perhaps check the monitor isn't fooked ?

definately try that BIOS reset jumper on the mobo

 

Nah monitor is fine. It was working after that, it also a TV, so I know it works.

I was carefull on th static, but didn't know about the magnetic screwdriver thing! I used one of them because I'm always dropping the screws.

I'll try the BIOS reset, but why would it be that? I did have the BIOS up and working to start.

 

you used a MAGNETIC TIPPED SCREWDRIVER ?

send your motherboard back and get another, then ditch the screwdriver for a normal one!

 

Yep
Must say, I've not been advised to not use one before.

 

don't quote me on it, but if the screwdriver found its way onto any components, I'm thinking you could have done some damage. Always best to stay safe and use a normal one.

But you're right, static will damage one too.

 

CMOS jumper didn't work.
I have noted that it beeps when there is no RAM inserted. Would that still happen is board was dead? Also the HDD led remains constant. I've checked and the front panel light for this connected correctly.

 

Board now boots up to the first part of the BIOS, without any hdd plugged in. But it doesn't accept any commands, to enter BIOS.

 

Right MOBO is not dead
I tried to neaten up the install of the mobo and componements by using a longer IDE cable, from my optical drives, for the HDD's. For some reason that was the problem. When I swapped them back, both the HDD's and DVD drives worked
I'm now on my way to installling XP back on again. Hopefully I won't mess that up.
Appreciate the help, spectrum48k

 

excellent!