Re: Harddisk in other computer

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

From: Alex Nichol (alexn.mvpdts_at_ntlworld.delete.com)
Date: 05/16/04 

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 11:15:25 +0100

Wim Roffal wrote:

>I have a problem with my Windows XP.
>
>I crashed one of my computers while trying to upgrade the processor (the
>mainboard was damaged). So I took the harddisk and inserted it in an older
>computer that functions as spare. This older computer is still on Windows
>ME, so I can't see the XP (NTFS) harddisk as a second harddisk when I insert
>it and I have to insert the XP disk as the boot disk.
>
>However, when booting from the XP disk I come only in the text mode. I can
>select there safe mode but it still won't continue into graphic mode.
>
>Everything on those computers (CPU, mainboard, graphic card, network card,
>etc.) is different but I would expect that I could at least access safe
>mode.

If you put a hard disk into another motherboard you should do a repair
reinstall, to match it up to the new underlying hardware.

And once you have done so you will find that the system sees itself on
different hardware, and will only boot to Safe Mode until you have
re-activated by phoning in - not a big deal, but be aware of it.

The alternative is to use the disk with your ME. This probably did not
work out because the disk is NTFS which ME does not know. You can boot
the ME (or a Win98) Startup floppy, and use FDISK to
Select the drive with the XP
Delete 'non-DOS' partition
Make a new DOS Primary partition, note the letter given , reboot and
FORMAT that letter for use 

-- 
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.  Alexn@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Harddisk in other computer
    ... > I have a problem with my Windows XP. ... > the boot disk. ... > I can select there safe mode but it still won't continue into graphic ... > Everything on those computers (CPU, mainboard, graphic card, network ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Java Version 5 Update 9 Problem???
    ... A quick Google for "Fujitsu drive diagnostic" would have brought you ... It calls for a 1.44 floppy disk and I don't have a floppy ... computers are complicated machines and there is no shame ...
    (microsoft.public.security.virus)
  • Re: ntoskrnl.exe and hal.dll error on startup
    ... Sony does not send boot disks with their computers. ... My plan was to use a start up disk to repair ... Is there a way to download the files somewhere ... 2.5" disk and an external USB case, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Problem!!! Hardware? Or Software?
    ... >Hi, This has been my worst dayyet, since having been into computers ... exterior HDD now none will work? ... Apart from a disk checker from the manufactorer it may be better too ... Maxtor go to the Maxtor site and get Powermax Disk Utilities - ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Alpha mystery! Only on Sundays??
    ... We've got a strange problem with our Alpha. ... We have two identical computers, ... There were then no more disk errors for 7 days. ... A disk goes into mount verification when VMS loses contact with the disk .. ...
    (comp.os.vms)