I have windows 2000 and 2003 running on Pentium III boards. I want to change
the motherboards or move the hard drives to another computer with AMD
processers. When I try to move the hard drives to the AMD motherboards, the
boot up stalls midway loading the OS. Is there a way to change the
motherboards to avoid reinstalling and reconfiguring? Thanks.

With a different MB, chipset, CPU, probably video and sound, you have zero
chance of getting Windows to start without some kind of reinstall. However,
there is a reasonable chance that you could do a repair install and retain
your Windows configuration.

Boot to the CD ROM. After the drivers load, do not select Repair - select
to install Windows. If setup can find the existing installation, then
select to Repair it. Results are unpredicable, but there is a reasonable
chance that Windows will start after the repair installation. You can then
install any necessary MB drivers, and your prior configuration will be in
tact. You will have to re-apply Service Packs and Windows Updates.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

"Dan Slaby" <dslaby3@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:eXx%23g0T4EHA.3644@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

"Doug Sherman [MVP]" <dsherman@nospam.tampabay.rr.com> ha scritto nel
messaggio news:elNke0U4EHA.3388@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

I used to agree with this... but then, I witnessed a Windows XP installation
move from Intel CPU/Intel chipset to AMD CPU/VIA Chipset without any issue,
only lots of PNP dialogs upon the first boot on the new hardware.
My conclusion is: if the HAL is the same (ACPI/non ACPI) *and* the disk
controller's drivers are supported by the OS (either natively or by
installing them prior to switching hardware), it will boot. Otherwise, it's
blue screen.

It's even better than this: a repair install works almost always, because it
forces a full hardware detection. I did some of these (notably, one on a
DC/Exchange; it worked, too!) and they all went right.

Massimo