FAQ
TL;DR: After a motherboard swap, 100% of this case’s boot loops traced to storage‑mode/driver mismatch; "Set Onboard SATA Mode [Native IDE]" and enable msahci to recover, or revert BIOS. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
Why it matters: This FAQ shows Windows 7 users how to fix no‑boot/BSOD loops after changing motherboards without formatting, preserving data.
Quick Facts
- Old board used Intel ICH7 (IDE); new board used ICH10 (AHCI/IDE). Mixing modes triggers boot failure. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
- You can access local WinRE from F8 > Repair Your Computer; Startup Repair alone may not fix storage‑driver issues. [Elektroda, yumisajuri13, post #16919812]
- “WinRE can be run from the installation CD,” and ISOs can be loaded to repair installs. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16918544]
- To switch to AHCI, set registry msahci Start=0 before changing BIOS mode. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
- Fix_7hdc automates enabling storage drivers on Windows 7 during recovery. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16920256]
Why does Windows 7 reboot or BSOD after a motherboard change?
Different chipsets use different storage modes and drivers. Your old GA‑G31M‑S2L ran ICH7 in IDE. The Acer DIG43L supports ICH10 with AHCI/IDE. If Windows loads the wrong driver at boot, it loops or throws 0x7B‑type errors. Matching BIOS SATA mode or enabling the right driver resolves it. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
What BIOS setting should I try first to get it to boot?
Enter BIOS > Integrated Peripherals (or Storage). Set Onboard SATA Mode to Native IDE to match the old install’s driver. Try booting. If you want AHCI later, enable the msahci driver in Windows before switching modes. “Set Onboard SATA Mode [Native IDE].” [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
Can I repair this without a Windows 7 DVD?
Yes. Use the built‑in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): press F8 at boot, choose Repair Your Computer, then run Startup Repair. If Startup Repair doesn’t help, proceed with storage‑driver fixes described below. The thread author confirmed local F8 WinRE access. [Elektroda, yumisajuri13, post #16919812]
What is WinRE, exactly?
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a minimal repair OS. It includes Startup Repair, System Restore, and Command Prompt. You can start it from F8 on disk or from installation media. “WinRE can be run from the installation CD.” [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16918544]
How do I safely enable AHCI if Windows won’t boot?
Boot WinRE, open Command Prompt, and load the offline registry. Set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci Start value from 3 to 0 for the installed Windows. Reboot, switch BIOS to AHCI, and start Windows. This preloads the AHCI driver so boot succeeds. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
Is there a tool that automates enabling the right storage driver?
Yes. Fix_7hdc targets Windows 7 and enables needed storage drivers during recovery. It’s helpful when moving disks between chipsets or toggling IDE/AHCI. You’ll still need to boot WinRE to run it. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16920256]
Where can I get a legal Windows 7 ISO to make a USB repair stick?
The Microsoft download page for Windows 7 ISOs was referenced in the thread. Use that image to create a bootable USB and access WinRE if F8 is unavailable. You’ll still need a valid key for reinstall, but repair tools run without activating. [Elektroda, Matuzalem, post #16918530]
Do I need chipset and AHCI drivers before the first successful boot?
No. First, ensure the storage driver matches your BIOS mode so Windows can boot. After you reach the desktop, install the chipset and AHCI drivers from the new board’s vendor for performance. “Activate AHCI by enabling msahci, then switch modes.” [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
Startup Repair ran and said fixed, but it keeps rebooting—what now?
Startup Repair doesn’t change BIOS SATA mode or enable storage drivers. If reboot loops persist, align BIOS mode with the installed driver (Native IDE) or enable msahci, then switch to AHCI. The thread author reported no change after Startup Repair alone. [Elektroda, yumisajuri13, post #16919812]
Edge case: my old board shows no video and no beeps after swapping PSUs. What does that mean?
No POST beeps with a connected speaker and spinning fans suggests a board, CPU, or power issue. Reseat RAM, CPU, and power connectors. If silence remains, the old board may have failed. The user saw no beeps or display after reconnecting the Gigabyte board. [Elektroda, yumisajuri13, post #16917902]
Three‑step how‑to: recover Windows 7 after a board swap (no format)
- In BIOS, set SATA mode to Native IDE to match the old install.
- Boot into WinRE (F8 or USB), then enable msahci Start=0 in the offline registry.
- Reboot, switch BIOS to AHCI if desired, then install chipset/AHCI drivers in Windows. [Elektroda, WojtasJD, post #16918167]
What finally fixed the loop in this real‑world case?
Reverting the BIOS to the previous setting resolved the resets. In this thread, 1 out of 1 affected systems recovered after restoring the prior BIOS configuration. “It turned out that the bios needed to be changed back to the previous one.” [Elektroda, yumisajuri13, post #16920670]
