Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

C isn't System yet, Wolfgang.

Will EasyBCD do the job even though the existing BootMgr is XP?

That would be a problem then since it's a different bootmgr and boot code for XP, which a Win7 install only updates on the XP System partition to configure a Dual Boot. It would need to write a fresh Win7 boot manager to C which I believe Easy does.

If not confirm C remains Partition Marked Active then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

But if it messes up XP partition it might not boot without repairs. So beware.

This looked like exactly what I needed to go from a DELL XPS 8100 to a Dell Inspiron. Both with Windows 7 Pro. XPS mother board died so I put hard drive into the Inspiron and followed the instructions for the PAR process. (which are REALLY well done, right down to the screen shots)

When I boot the end result it starts to load, shows the initial Windows 7 started graphic with the 4 circling dots, then the screen goes black as it reboots. I've run Windows Startup Repair multiple times from the Windows 7 Install disk with no luck. Repair says it can't fix it and the cause could be a configuration change (ya think?) I didn't get any messages during the PAR processes beside what you documented. No prompts for extra drivers, etc. I did see the messages scroll by as it injected drivers.

any suggestions about what I've missed. I really need this to succeed as I have software on the hard drive that is no longer available and my install CD is not readable for some reason (too many scratches??)

Thanks,
Roy

In the case of XP, what works to adjust it to start on new hardware is also an XP Repair Install.

It may actually be preferable since PAR was developed under Vista and Win7.

Unfortunately I can't boot into SAFE mode either. All options act the same, go part way then reboots.
I tried turning on bootlog but there was none produced so it may be ending before the log wold start, or (more likely) the boot fails without closing the log

Created an accout an register just to thank you!! , this worked like a charm for me! .. Woohoo!!. Okay, lol but yeah pretty happy about it :), cause I switched a motherboard yes an forgot (more like didnt think about it at all ) the sysprep. But naturally I wanted to keep everything etc, but yeah would always crash an the other solutions an ways I tried didnt really do much for me like the repair tool. And im perhaps not the greatest with computers, but since I reached my desktop thanks to this gem, Im pretty sure ill be able to fix any issue that might occur, and am working on uninstalling and installing my drivers at the moment, might take a bit, but so far no prompt about any w7 key or anything, even still had my background image :). Either way, this was exactly what I wanted and needed. Also well explained and easy to follow :).

Either way again, just again wanted to say thank you!!! :)). You rock, and you are awesome, period! .

THANK YOU!!!!!!