Member Avatar for owenbear

Hullo,

I've just been given a second hand/pre-owned Motherboard/CPU.
And as it is potentially better than the one my daughter has I'd like to try and get it up and running.

Some info:-

Motherboard - Imperial G 20020828 (this is the only info I can find on the board).
CPU - P4 2.4Ghz / 533FSB socket 478.
RAM - 1GB PC2700 in two 512Mb sticks.
GPU - AGP slot / None fitted yet.
HDD - None yet.

The board came with only the CPU fitted - no case, no PSU, no HDD.
I have loads of spare parts that will suit - PSU's, cases, HDD's RAM etc.
However, as it came with no HDD when I try to boot it with a HDD it wont boot to windows.
I've tried it with three different HDD's up to now but without success.

Unfortunately all the HDD's I have are from other machines (though they boot XP on other PC's)so I suspect this is what's causing the problem.

I think the motherboard is from an 'E-Machines' PC.
I have a couple of original 'E-Machines' restore CD's from another PC (windows XP).
Is it worth trying to 're-install' one of the HDD's using these CD's.
I don't want to overwrite a HD that works on my daughters current PC unless I'm pretty sure of success. Her PC was pre-owned and has no Windows XP CD with it.

Thanks,

OwenBear

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jingda

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and extra troubleshooting notes based on this thread: moving an existing Windows XP disk between different OEM systems commonly fails because the installed OS expects the original motherboard drivers and storage controller. 's suggestion to use a spare (non‑critical) drive and the eMachines restore media was the right, safe approach; that is exactly what got the Imperial G board running for .

Why the original drives froze at "Loading Windows": when XP boots it needs the correct mass‑storage driver (and sometimes a compatible HAL). If the new board exposes a different IDE/SATA controller the OS can hit an inaccessible‑boot‑device condition or loop/restart. That explains why a drive that boots elsewhere will not boot in this Imperial G without reinstall or repair.

Practical checklist to repeat or to help others with similar old OEM PCs:

  1. Use a known spare or freshly wiped drive for tests. This avoids overwriting a working machine.
  2. Check physical connections: correct power cable, correct IDE cable orientation (80/40‑wire keyed), and jumper settings for PATA drives (master/cable‑select).
  3. In BIOS confirm the drive is detected. If present, load defaults and set IDE mode to Auto/Compatibility (or disable AHCI if present and you plan to install XP).
  4. Disconnect any other HDDs before running the OEM restore so the installer targets only the intended disk.
  5. After install, immediately put chipset, storage and LAN drivers from the OEM/motherboard onto the system, then create a full image (backup) of the clean install.

If the BIOS does not detect the drive, test the drive in another PC and check the PSU. Be mindful that OEM restore media is intended for the original hardware and that Windows XP is no longer supported—avoid exposing an XP system directly to the Internet or plan an upgrade for security.

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Member Avatar for jingda

You are right about the Motherboard being from an E-Machine. If you have spare HDD, put in some data into it ( Not important ) and try it with the Imperial motherboard. Use the emachine cd and try reinstalling the HDD and see if that works.

Member Avatar for owenbear

Thanks for the reply.

The HDD's I tried were either not recognised or just showed 'Loading Windows' with a white load bar filling up then restarting the machine.

I'll try the spare HDD's I've got as slave drives then (hopefully) re-format them and try the E-Machines restore CD's with the Imperial G motherboard.

OwenBear

Member Avatar for owenbear

OK - I did as you advised and Windows is now installed succesfully and is up and running.

Thank you for your assistance Jingda.

Regards,

OwenBear

Member Avatar for jingda

Good to hear that. Do come back to this forum is you have any problems in the future. See ya then;)

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