Quote: Originally Posted by TonyKunz I have 2 computers, computer A and computer B so I took computers B's hdd and format it on my computer (computer A) and then I installed windows 98 from computer A onto computer B, then put it back into computer B, and now the monitor doesnt pick it up, so then I put computer B's hdd back into computer A formated it, put it into computer B to try to reinstall windows 98 on it, and it still doesnt pick it up. I grounded myself and took out the vid card, and bew out the socket, then re-seated it, and I tried and started it up and still nothing. The Vid Card is "Gainward GeForce 4 Powerpack" model" pro/600-8x TV 64mb DDR and the monitor is a dell trinitron. Please anyone able to help me? Tony

windows installations are trouble when you're moving it from the computer it was originally installed on. you'll be better off if you install windows onto the hard drive while its in the computer its going to be residing in.

welcome to pimprig, btw

Thanks for the welcome.... The thing is If it wont read on Computer B, how am I to reformat and reinstall windows on it?

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyKunz Thanks for the welcome.... The thing is If it wont read on Computer B, how am I to reformat and reinstall windows on it?

wait you mean the computer won't even detect the hard drive at all?

what were the problems with B before you took out the hard drive to format and install on A?

is the computer actually starting up? like are you hearing the beep upon startup and the fans and such are starting?

You most likely have a hardware failure of some kind with that computer - thats the real issue that needs addressed. Tell us all the info you have leading to the problem and what you have done.

ok the reason that I formatted the computer in the first place is when I went on Computer B (my moms computer) she had tole me our norton was being stuid and acting up, the **** the piut on that computer is useless, they click whatever says yes, so it was full of adware, so I took it downstairs moved some of her files she needs to a spare hdd in my computer so( hdd B to computer A second Hdd) so then I unplugged my main hdd and my second hdd ( computer A) and just left her hdd (hdd B) in my computer (a) so then I kiled it, and reinstalled windows all on my computer (A) , then I went to put it back into hers, so it would install most of her onboard stuff. I then got told by a friend to re-seat the card I did that and it still woulnd't pick up a signal my monitor says "no signal" its sounds as if it were going to load up an operating system, and such but just no picture, I am in the midst of swapping monitors to see if her monitor is broken, but I am running a emachice 500, so it doesnt have a agp slot for her vid card so Ican't test it out on my computer. I dont think the vid card is dead, but I have ran out of options, I am thinking for formatting her drive once more, fdisk it then reformat.. then see hopefully if it picks up... any other suggestions?

Hmmm....have you checked the BIOS in computer B to make sure it starts on AGP/PCI rather than an onboard IGP? You mentioned a video card, and if your monitor is hooked up to that with no driver, it may be defaulting to IGP.

well earlier it sounded like nothing was happening when you hit the power. even if the vid card is dead, you should still be able to hear the fans going on. is power being supplied at all? i know it sounds stupid but you'd be surprised at how many people forget to plug the power in, on the outside or on the inside.

If it worked fine before you messed with it then go over everything with a fine tooth comb - perhaps you accidentally unplugged something when removing the hard drive. I can save you some time, fdisking and formating that hard drive will do you no good as even without a hard drive present you should have video.

ok I have 2 monitors, they both dont work on that computer... how am I supposed to navigate trough the bios system if I cant even see what I am doing?

I hear the fans, I jsut dont see anything


I rechecked all cables...

I think it has something to do with, the card itself, or the motherboard isn't picking it up

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyKunz ok I have 2 monitors, they both dont work on that computer... how am I supposed to navigate trough the bios system if I cant even see what I am doing? I hear the fans, I jsut dont see anything I rechecked all cables... I think it has something to do with, the card itself, or the motherboard isn't picking it up

hmm. yeah sounds like a dead vid card. it was working before? dunno, maybe you can just try checking all the wires again. someone had a similar problem earlier where his computer should've been working and when he took it apart and put it back together it started working again. there might just be something you missed and forgot to plug in.

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyKunz ok I have 2 monitors, they both dont work on that computer... how am I supposed to navigate trough the bios system if I cant even see what I am doing? I hear the fans, I jsut dont see anything I rechecked all cables... I think it has something to do with, the card itself, or the motherboard isn't picking it up

My apologies, my answer was incomplete. If computer B does have an onboard graphics chip, there should be a VGA plug on the mobo. Try plugging the monitor in there and see if it boots. You may also try removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes to clear it, and try the VGA again. It should be recognized by most boards automatically, but not always. If it's a powerful card that requires secondary power, make sure that's plugged in correctly too. It won't boot without it.

all i took out was the hdd cord and the power cord to the HDD and the vidcard which has no wires, I don't see what It might be...

First.....what are the specs of both computers?

Second.....the only way to make that scenario work, is if the hardware has similar chips.......ie.....nforce2 mobo to nforce2 mobo (this is just like doing a mobo swap without having to reformat or reinstall Windows.

Reinstall the Windows again like you did the first time, but prior to installing that hard drive into the other computer......Perform the following:

1. Uninstall everything in Add/Remove Programs that has anything to do with the currently installed motherboard's manufacturer. That means 4in1 drivers (Hyperion now) from VIA, and of VIA's other 62 patches and add-ons. Any nForce driver sets, built-in sound utilities, etc. If it came on the driver CD with the old motherboard or you downloaded it from the old motherboard's manufacturer's website, uninstall it.

2. This is the step that a lot of people miss, because it's a pain in the a**. Go into Device Manager and uninstall every device that has a manufacturer's name associated with it. IDE controllers, PCI bridges, USB controllers, EVERYTHING that isn't a Windows driver. Why? Because if you don't Windows will look for that controller explicitly and, when it doesn't find it on your new motherboard, may decide it doesn't want to play anymore. You MIGHT be able to get by with just uninstalling all of the IDE controllers, but I would recommend just uninstalling everything so that Windows will use its generic drivers to access it. THATS THE KEY!

Once you have everything back on Windows' drivers you can swap anything you like and you should NOT have to reload Windows!.........

is there something where you can just delete the enum file or something so windows doesn't keep the hardware profile and it will just redetect everything?

anyways, his computer isn't even starting up apparently.
i agree with wordbiker. if you have onboard graphics, your mobo might be defaulting to that.

It worked, I pulled out the Cmos Battery and Started it up without the battery in, turned it off, and then put it back in and restarted it, and Voila it worked. Thanks to all those with great Idea WordBiker, It worked. I am very grateful.

Tony

still though. are both computers the EXACT same mobo. if not you cant install windows on CompA and expect it to work on CompB.

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyKunz It worked, I pulled out the Cmos Battery and Started it up without the battery in, turned it off, and then put it back in and restarted it, and Voila it worked. Thanks to all those with great Idea WordBiker, It worked. I am very grateful. Tony

I'm glad it worked out for you. I've had the same thing happen before, and resetting back to defaults fixed it.