A long time ago I changed mobo, cpu but kept the old hard drive. When I started up, the computer would get as far as displaying the Windows XP start up screen for about a second and then reboot. I found a work around , which was to start up in "Enable VGA mode" and then once I logged in, I could change the resolution and my video card drivers would load, etc. -- everything working fine. I've changed cards since then (several times) and used both nVidia and ATI chips. Same problem. Now I finally decided to see if I can find some help fixing it. Any ideas??

When you changed the motherboard, have you installed the drivers for that motherboard? This is alway necessary, because a new motherboard uses another chipset, maybe onboard sound aso. So try that first and report on what happens. Please send a reply, if you solved the problem !!!

I'm surprised you didn't have more problems if you switched MOBOs but kept the same HDD. I would run an XP Repair, then install the necessary drivers. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

Yep, I installed all the supplied motherboard drivers when I installed it. I couldn't figure it out then and still can't. Like I said, if I start in VGA mode it works fine once I readjust the video resolution. It starts in safe mode as well, but not in any other of the F8 options. Thanks, though. Any other ideas?

I guess, the driver for the old graphics card will be started further more. So have you deinstalled the old driver and then installed the driver for your actuell graphics card? Please send a reply, if you solved the problem !!!