Question : SBS Server 2003 hardware failed, how to make work on new hardware?

I have a situation where the computer motherboard fried on a 2003 SBS server.

The HDD in this server is IDE and it was originally assembled on the ultra-cheap budget so they used an emachine from walmart... yeah, I know...  I wasn't around when they did this so don't blame me... lol

Nevertheless, I've moved the IDE HDD over to a couple other systems and the OS will start to load but then reboots itself.  I've also tried safe mode, that results in the same 'rebooting'.

For diag purposes, I've also taken the drive and hooked it up to another system to make sure that the file system was not damaged.  I can fully see the HDD and have run chkdsk from my XP box to confirm that there wasn't any simple file system errors causing the reboot.

These guys don't have any form of backup and before I tried running a repair install over top of the existing OS I wanted to see if you guys can think of anything else that I can try.

Suggestions?

Answer : SBS Server 2003 hardware failed, how to make work on new hardware?

first thing you need to do is take a clone of the disk.  here is an explanation (if needed) and links to free products that will do what you want http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm.  Obvious reason being - you have a full backup if it goes TU.

as I'm sure you know, if you are booting on a different machine then the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) will be different and the OS can't cope and BSOD - which is what you are seeing.

once you have your clone and as you have rightly said, you're going to have to put the hard disk in another system and boot from the SBS2003 install disk and let it detect the current installation.  you should then have the option of repairing the installation which should resolve the issues that are preventing it from booting.  

main thing is - TAKE A BACKUP BEFORE YOU START!!!