Here is one link that has several possible solutions:
http://www.windowvistarepair.com/
Also AFAIK if you run a Repair Installation from your Vista installation
disk it will rewrite the boot sector if required and make some other checks
but as Rick pointed out it is not the same type of repair installation that
you could do with XP.
I have read some links that stated that running the Vista System File
checker (SFC.EXE) will perform some of the same types of checks that the XP
installation repair does.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833
"Rick Rogers" <rick@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23ZmAOvuoIHA.4112@xxxxxx
Quote:
> Hi Grey,
>
> There is no "repair installation" option in Vista like with XP and
> previous versions. It has naught to do with SP1. If the replacement
> motherboard and processor are of similar build to the original, then there
> is a chance that the original installation will boot on it. Otherwise, you
> are left with creating a new installation. There is no requirement to
> format as part of this process unless you are low on disk space (you'll
> need 15-20GB available), so if you are stuck with that option then simply
> don't and retrieve data from the original installation afterwards.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "Grey" <grey@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:OyzvATsoIHA.1240@xxxxxx Quote:
>> It would be nice if that were true. I just went through a dying
>> motherboard replacement on my own machine and tried to put the same Vista
>> Ultimate 64 installation with the new motherboard/CPU which were the only
>> things changed. It wont do it. You cannot repair install, so far as I can
>> find, since SP1 came out.
>>
>> Please prove me wrong. I really would prefer to be wrong in this case!
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Rick Rogers" <rick@xxxxxx>
>> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
>> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: reinstall Vista on a new Motherboard ???
>>
>> Quote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Provided you have sufficient free space remaining on the drive, you
>>> don't have to format. Setup will just move the old installation to a
>>> windows.old folder where you can later retrieve your data. Programs will
>>> still need to be reinstalled.
>>>
>>> You may find that if the hardware is closely related, that you will not
>>> need any reinstall. I would just try it first, before bothering to
>>> reinstall.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best of Luck,
>>>
>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>>
>>> "pedmag2" <pedmag2@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:30A7B13F-BE06-4D9B-85D0-E16E18D68192@xxxxxx
>>>>I have Vista Ultima but my Motherboard was burn from electric problem I
>>>> going to install a new Motherboard, my hard drive and the other cards
>>>> are OK
>>>> they was check and tested , Is any way that I can do this and don't
>>>> have to
>>>> reformat the Hard Drive ?????? The new Motherboard is diferent then the
>>>> old
>>>> one, because I can no found the same MotherBoard, The CPU is OK and I
>>>> can use
>>>> for the new Motherboard
>>>>
>>>> Please any Help Thanks
>>>>
>>> >> >