The AM Forum

I have two computers, a Gateway and a Dell.  The Dell doesn't have a hard drive, it was removed.  The Gateway has two hard drives.  Both machines ran on Windows XP.  I removed the two drives from the Gateway and put them in the Dell.  Of course it doesn't work.  The Dell turns on to a message screen that says Windows failed to start.  It says Windows will start in 30 sec.  It counts down to zero and goes to screen with the Dell logo.  The logo stays there for a second or two and then returns to the same message screen.  It goes through the countdown and repeats the same routine.

What am I doing wrong??  Maybe you just can't switch drives.  I don't know.

Fred

I'm in the same boat as you Fred. Several times I swapped hard drives without a problem and then it all stopped. There must be a difference in the chip sets that are not comparable. I'll be looking along with you for the answer.

Might have something to do with this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_abstraction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_abstraction)

perhaps i can finally be of service. :)

i think you will need to reinstall your operating system when you switch the hard drive. the dell can read the data fine but the operating system is probably expecting a totally different set of hardware and is freaking out when you load it on the dell computer.

if you have a windows xp install disc you should try hooking up the harddrive in the dell computer and then booting from the install disc and reinstall. dont reformat the drive or else you will lose all your data. choose the option to just reinstall the operating system.

i hope that helps.

I have had that exact same scenario. Twice it worked but the last few times I tried to do that, it wouldn't boot up! !  The only cure was to reinstall winders and all was fine afterwards.

You may also want to check ur bios / setup screens to make sure the motherboard found the hard drives, and sees them properly.

XP requires a register with big brother which locks the configuration of the computer with the register so you can't load hard drives and move them to other machines.

XP SUCKS! ! ! ! ! !  I liked 2000 better! ! ! ! !

You do need to tell the new computer which of the two drives to boot from. When you see the DELL screen hit F2, this will bring you to the systems settings. Follow instructions but usually you will look for the boot order page. You should see both HDD's. It might be as simple as choosing the right HDD to boot from.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks, I just tried what you said, to hit F2 when the Dell logo appeared (it's only there for a few seconds).  It did bring me forward to another screen.  I will work forward from this screen and report back as I make progress.

This computer stuff is harder than building xmtrs.

Fred

Fred,

If you don't know which HDD has the operating system on it you might just try one, than the other as your primary drive. If the new computer is substantially different than the old, Windows configurations might need to be changed. When you get it to boot you might have to run a Windows install to cure the new configuration problems should they come up. Good Luck. If this problem gets more involved it might be best to take it off list and use PM or email.

Mike

Mike,  I did try the hard drive with the OS on it.  I also tried another (3rd) HD with an OS.  Both HD's are disabled and don't seem to work.  But at least I was able to get past the first message page.  I don't have the reboot disc, but I,m going to try to get it from the original owner of the computer.  I may also be able to get the original HD, if my brother still has it.

Question,  If I use the original HD and do a reboot with the disc, will that remove all the previous owner's info and other personal info??  That's the reason the HD was removed in the first place.

Fred

Start with the BIOS and be certain the HD is even recognized. There are steps to take before Windows is involved.

The HD could also be damaged by a virus or glitch so you need a diagnostic floppy or CD.

I build all my own PC's with a lot of used or tossed away parts; its amazing what people throw away for a simple problem; this is a 2400 dualcore with 4GB found at the dump for example.

Carl

If you use the original hard drive from this computer (which is a great idea) and do a complete, new installation of Windows on that drive, all previous data will be overwritten or lost. Nothing can be recovered from the previous Windows installation unless your an NSA geek. I would do a complete reformat of that drive and than a new Windows installation.

You will need a complete set of Windows installation media. Windows recovery disc's may not contain everything necessary for a fresh installation. Make sure you have what you need before you start. I think the Service packs can still be downloaded after you make the initial installation.

Mike

Phred,
If this goes the way you build transmitters we'll hear back from you in about 3 years  ;D

After all we waited what, 10 years to hear the "Imaginary 813 Rig"  ;D  ;D

CALMLY figure which HDD you want in the ONE computer........THEN start the computer with a bootable disk for a fresh install of Windoze. The boot and the CD will ask if you want to fix (repair) or format the drive and install XP.
You can buy WIN XP SP 3 all day long on eBay and they seem to be old systems discs from DELLS and will boot and install on any computer. I know the Anti-M$ folks don't like doing this the right way, but that's the name of the game. And while your searching for a Windoze disk get the make and model of the computer you decide to fix and get a Driver disk for that machine. It will re-install the drivers for the sound card, and the video and most important......the Ethernet card........without that you cannot connect to the internet. A fresh install does not guarantee the drivers will be installed for that particular computer.
Just throwing an HDD into a computer don't work. There is hard ware management on the mootherboard/BIOS and each HDD has a 'home'. No problem installing an EXTRA drive for your files, but the drive with the OS cannot move around , computer to computer.
Fred...............I have many happy stories for the many $150.00 Dual and quad core processors that I bought (3GB RAM) and all they needed was a new hard drive.......Can't beat that!!

fred, thats the reason i like the linux distro i use, i can move the storage device that the OS is on from computer to computer, because the OS comes with a bunch of different drivers for all kinds of different video cards, harddrives, wifi cards, ethernet cards, etc. and it doesn't necessarily have to be installed on a harddrive either, on this netbook, i have the OS installed on an SD card. if i want to, i could put it on a USB flash drive and put the drive in any computer, boot it up from the USB drive, use it, then when i'm done take it out then can go and use another computer using the same flash drive.

What a bunch of bullshit in this thread.

You DO realize what you are doing is ILLEGAL, right?





That being said (I don't agree with the illegallity of it), you need to get the CORRECT drive as your boot drive.  Once that's done, Windows XP will either repair itself, or puke, depending on the service pack.

BUT, buying anything "off ebay" or anything else, from someone selling "XP CDs" IS ILLEGAL.

YOU bought a Dell.  THAT copy of Windows is ONLY licensed to work on THAT Dell computer.  NOTHING else.

Welcome to the world of OEM licensing.

No, I won't turn you in.  YES, I've been trained in MS licensing (having an MS Site License for over 2500 computers at ONE time).

LINUX is no better than anything else.  Microsoft releases of operating systems typically contain WAY more and better drivers than ANYTHING linux (I go back to 1.x revisions of the Kernel, have installed SCO XENIX on POS systems, etc).

Bashing ANY operating system is endemic of those that are not educated in the ways of another.  PERIOD.  It's like bashing one R390 over another.  EACH has it's plusses and minuses.  If someone tells you different, they are UNEDUCATED about the question at hand.

Sorry to be brutally honest, but that's the problem your running up against.  What you're attempting to do is ILLEGAL, and the OS more than likely realizes it (since it's getting DIFFERENT POST codes passed to it via BIOS), and it is puking.

That being said, what you are trying IS doable,  but you may need a boot CD to do it.  As well as the fact that your "new" operating system probably WON'T pass muster at Windows Genuine Advantage validation, meaning you WON'T get service pack updates, meaning you'll pretty much instantly beome a bot in someone elses botnet.

as far as stability is concerned i will take linux over any version of windows anyday. this distro i run is a very barebones OS, but it does everything i want, and it runs good. this netbook had windows xp on it, and was always running slow and having all kinds of problems then one day quit completely. replaced xp with windows, haven't had any major problems, about the only problems i've had come from trying to do more than one or two things at a time, can do more with it now than i could when it ran xp, which could barely do one thing at a time.

That's a computer problem, not an operating system problem.

I have XP running, and currently have 8 different 'windows' open.  Opera, Internet exploder,  Yahoo (2 windows), a couple proprietary programs, etc.  This, on a Centrino single core with a gig of shared RAM between video and CPU.

The fact you said you have a "netbook" says it all.  You have a "computer" designed to browse the web.  ANYTHING else is, superfluous.

Theres a reason the 'original' netbooks where designed to go to Nigeria.....  And it's NOT because they where great computers.

Hate to be the ass here, but.......  You get what you pay for.

No, but thanks for letting me know.  Oh, thanks for not turning me in.  I guess I must have broken fifty laws here today moving a few hard drives around in MY computers.  Hopefully the police won't take away my screwdriver.

Anyway,  someone gave me the Dell but removed the HD. Not being a computer expert, I thought I could replace it with a hard drive from another computer.  But as I have learned here today that can't be done for all the reasons posted.

I would like to thank everyone who posted for helping me out.  I am trying to get the original HD to put back in the Dell.  If I can, that will solve the problem.  If I can't, the Dell can always be reduced to parts and pieces.

Fred

what are you talking about? transferring a hard drive from one computer to another is definitely not illegal. neither is reinstalling a windows xp (either on the original computer or moving it to a different computer). when you buy a copy of windows xp you are buying a license to use it on a computer. the license does not specify which computer you use it on. as long as you are only using cd-key on one computer at a time you are not violating the license.

here is an explanation of retail licensing for windows xp: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/WindowsXP#Retail

from that page:
"FPP licenses are transferable from one computer to another, provided the previous installation is removed from the old computer. Although upgrade licenses are also transferable, a user must have a previous version of Windows even on the new computer to which they are moving the installation."

Just my $.02 worth..................

With the lisencing issue, what happens if you bought that copy of, say XP and your compuker has a big time crash? (Something literally burns up or fails mechanically)

Does that mean you cant reinstall it in a replacement box? ?  If so, there may be some form of extorsion or other laws that should protect the end user from having to be taken advantage of my the OS provider. I guess that is why everyone hates Microslop so much.....................

Wow, this is worse than the SSB thread! I never tried to transplant system drive to different system because of the driver issues but have built many systems and always do fresh XP install, hard to believe anyone likes 2000 over XP; next you may be saying you like Vista too! Have found Windows 7 works better and faster with less crashes just need god awful amounts of memory. Looks like one way to get people sutured up is the subject of OS and virtues of each, at least none of those strange Mac people have jumped in with how wonderful the Apple garbage is with the Jaguar, Leopard, Polecat or whatever OS they are pushing this month.

Guys, chill, seriously haha.  ;D  I think some of us are experiencing radio 'off season' cabin fever and getting at each others throats rather easily.  :P

The original compuker came with an OEM version (also called a builders version) of Winblows XP. The Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) is tied to the original computers motherboard and is not transferable to another machine. On the original computer every part can be changed or upgraded with the exception of the mobo. If you do get the OEM version cleared up so the new computer loads, (Not easy to do), as soon as it looks for an update, you get a reoccurring balloon pop-up that busts your chops about this windows version not being legit.

A 'RETAIL' version is different as it CAN be transferred to a new machine. You would call Microshaft and tell them what you did, and they would release the COA to be applied to the new machine. This can be done over and over if you don't mind sitting on the phone for 2 hours each time and have the software on ONLY one computer at a time.

DOn't buy a copy of XP on ePay from a private seller. It's such an old operating system, that the chances of finding a new unopened package with a fresh KEY are almost impossible. If you buy it from a retailer as new software, then there's no problem there.

If the computer is reasonably fit, then don't bother with xp anyway. For a couple bucks more, you can run Windows 7 home edition and enjoy 21st century technology.

J

    

I'm not buying anything off ebay.

This computer is not my main machine so it's not that important to begin with.  I trying to get back the original HD that came with the machine.  I have other computers.  I'm using a Mac now.  I think it's only a few years old.

I just connected to the cable hi speed service, works fast with the Mac.  I had been on dial-up with an old computer that still works.

Thanks to everyone who posted some help.  I learned some good stuff.

Fred

"You DO realize what you are doing is ILLEGAL, right"

I'm curious what you saw that was illegal. When you buy XP you get an operating license to use it on one computer (at a time). Fred removed the OS from one computer and installed it in another. I don't see any licensing or legal issue there.

As for the actual operation of the computer with the transplanted OS, this is a multi level "opportunity": The components of computer one will have a certain signature that is associated by Microsoft with that installation of XP. Your new computer will have a different signature. This means a call to MS wherein they ask how many computers have this particular XP os on it. The correct answer is one. They will then give you a code to activate your OS.
However, you have to get the thing working in the first place. The drivers will likely be different between the two computers and the resident drivers may prevent the OS from starting at all. That's why you need the original OS (or reasonable image thereof) to "repair" the installation OR a complete new install over the old OS but not the format and install to preserve your data. This may not work if some of the existing drivers cause hardware to be ignored or viewed by the OS as one type and really be another. In that case you should do a boot from a CD and save all your files to external media then do a format/reload of the OS.
If you don't want to do it that way you could put the drives back in the old computer and transfer all your important files to the second hard drive (I use this method) and then remove the boot disk to the new computer and do a format/reload of your programs.

As for the suggestions to use another OS, I have to agree, one is about like another to me with Windows being more universally equipped with drivers and more applications written for it. I'm still waiting and will probably die in that mode for Quicken to come up with a Linux version. . . . without going through an emulator. . .
GL ARt

That's exactly the story, depending on the COPY of XP purchased.

If you purchase a REAL, legit copy of XP (NOT OEM licensed), you CAN move things around.

If you have a computer from, say Dell, and then decide (after it burns up) that you want to put the HDD in a computer from the guy building them down the street, then that is in fact ILLEGAL.


When I was into IT, this was a HUGE issue for us.  If anything BUT the HDD failed, common sense dictated pulling the hDD out of the failed machine, putting it in another machine, get windows to boot, and be done.  Then I entered into Microsoft Select licensing agreement and found out the difference between OEM and 'original boxed' MS licensing.


Yes, it's confusing.  No, it doesn't make much, if any sense.

--Shane
KD6VXI

All that would actually be true, if he had a "Original boxed version" of XP.  He doesn't.  He has an oem copy.  OEM licensing means it can ONLY be installed on THAT motherboard.

Shoot, with Vista you started having problems when a dvd/blu-ray would be changed out.  Or lose your video card and replace it.  THEN, Microshaft will only give you so many unlock codes for WGA activation.

So, yes, it IS illegal to use an OEM copy of Windows on ANY machine other than THE machine it was purchased WITH.  Anyone who tells you different is lucky enough to not have had Microsoft crawling up their backside.

Microsoft says they license the actual 'bits of code', and not the copy of windows itself.  THATs how they got away with this in a court of law.


--Shane
KD6VXI

I have done Dell laptops, and a HP laptop using OEM XP CD's. Neither time was I prompted to enter the key code. Only when using the Dell CD on a HP was I greeted with a key code request. Seems like the OEM licensing pertains to a particular brand, and possibly model, and NOT just one computer. Is this Illegal? I dunno, but if it works, and your not asked for a key code, then what the heck? Oh, the OEM disk I had was for a HP Desktop, and it worked fine on a similar vintage HP laptop. Passed Windows Genuine Advantage too. :-)

On the other side of the law is Tiny XP, a neutered bit-torrent version of XP that also comes with MS Office 2003 full version. Do a clean install with this, and with one boot it is up and running since it has a built in driver pack. In fact the guy I know was so surprised that he neglected to unhook the wireless antenna at first. When it booted up the first time, it connected to a neighbors WIFI that was not encrypted, and then went to Windows update, and was branded bad by Windows Genuine Advantage (once branded bad you have to start over). To run this stuff you need to have Windows update OFF, be behind a good hardware firewall, and also run Zone Alarm. Good for casual "blazing" surfing on modest hardware, but not for doing anything like finances on.  :P

Jim
WD5JKO

i want to apologize for my response. i didn't know that OEM licenses are not transferable between computers. i was wrong and thought i was right. sorry.

Don't sweat it. This is how we all learn. 

  Around here (Round Rock is Dell Headquarters) some of the used computer stores will sell OEM Dell copies of windows XP and the driver disk for $5 to $10 cash. For home use (not business) on a Dell, and no need to enter a key code, why not? WGA passes too.
  This is with old hardware, and an obsolete operating system. Both Dell and Microsoft got there cut already on that box at least once. I don't see how Microsoft cares since WGA passes when the OEM software loaded matches the hardware.

Jim
WD5JKO

Telling me that you can't transfer a HD to another computer is bunk. It would be the same as telling me that you cannot put a junk yard engine into your old truck when it made sense to put another engine into it rather than a rebuild. There may be a law in some states where you need report an engine change but I never heard of it?

If it boots up how would they know that the HD is in another MB?

OK, it may be written into law but it's a dumb law.

The reason for this was to prevent users from loading hard drives and then moving them to other computers. Gates was a bootlegger so he knew all the angles.

"All that would actually be true, if he had a "Original boxed version" of XP.  He doesn't.  He has an oem copy.  OEM licensing means it can ONLY be installed on THAT motherboard."

Ahhh so. I didn't grasp that point. Yep, the OEMs make a deal with MS to load the OS onto their machines and the purchaser of the computer didn't have that deal so the conditions of the contract are broken if the individual moves that OS to another machine. That I understand. I build custom computers and have no such deal with MS so all my OSs are original boxed versions. It's expensive but painless. I often use Linux (Ubuntu) to cut costs in this area.

Art

There's another reason for OEM versions. The reason an OEM builders version is cheaper is because this places the cust service requirements on the builder/seller of the machine. With OEM software, if you have a problem, you call the builder/seller of the computer, aka Dell, gateway, etc... This is the reason you can buy a builders OEM operating system from places like newegg for about a third less than the retail version.

With a retail version, the cust service is supplied by MS thru calling their CS phone number.

I remember the mystery days of Win 95/98 trying to get a computer to do anything outside of the case. Connect to the internet,play music, All of that time wasted on the telephone trying to get a defective product to work. XP is/was heaven as an OS. Win 7 32 bit is very nice. 64 bit starts getting into compatibility issues with older software that WE might encounter.
I enjoy these high-dollar-high-end computers that are dirt cheap on ePay. Makes my Flex so happy
Fred

 " I enjoy these high-dollar-high-end computers that are dirt cheap on ePay. Makes my Flex so happy. "


You sound too smug.


klc

With XP (and probably other versions of Window$), a unique checksum is created during the initial install. That checksum is derived based on the hardware that happens to be in your computer. Since you moved the hard drives from one computer to another,  it's inevitable that you will have problems since the checksum does not match the new computer. It's sort of like a one of a kind electronic fingerprint that can't easily be reproduced on another computer. The only way to overcome this and prevent future issues is to completely nuke the hard drive and do a full clean install of Windows.  You will want to copy only your unique personal files to a backup medium before reinstalling Windows. There's no need to copy Windows system files as those will all be freshly installed.  That checksum is a Micro$haft security feature meant to discourage piracy of their Windows Operation system, amongst other things.  If the checksum doesn't match the hardware in your computer for some reason, Windows disables itself and forces reactivation. This often happens when someone adds memory, a new peripheral card or hard drive, etc. A phone call to Microsoft will then be required to reactivate your system... That means talking to a some foreigner with a heavy accent. The English is perfect but you can't understand a word they are saying because of their heavy accent. I'm sure that you will be much happier with a completely fresh install of Windows because all of the correct drivers will be installed on the new computer, plus the system will be snappy because the registry has not yet become corrupted (an inevitability on all Windows computers), thusly avoiding all of the aforementioned hassles.  I hope you have a valid Windows installation CD or DVD with CD Key. Without that you are out of luck.


Best regards,

Gary, K7EK

Kinda like losing sleep over your voice peaks at 100% modulation exceeding the bogus p.e.p. limit.

I guess you don't know about the new FCC rule mandating ops have operations performed to make their voices symmetric.