Why cant i just switch my current HDD into a new system??

[Splash]

[Birdkiller]

Help please - all suggestions not involving ritual sacrifice greatly appreciated.

Oh well, there goes my suggestion...

I see this error allot when changing HDDs on an XP install, reinstalling XP over the top has always fixed it and kept the settings for me.

[Splash]

thanks for the quick reply BK.
so u just swap the disk to the new system and then reinstall the OS in the same partition huh.
This keeps all the customisations Start menu and so on?
Do u think i should do this if so should i reinstall W2k over the exisitng first then do the XP conversion or can i just go straight to xp?
guess i can always restore via the DI anyway.
Might try the 1 step.

anyone else have thoughts?

[sKuLLsHoT]

when u change the system that dramatically, xp 2k nt, they all kick up a fuss, you could do same with a 98 install and it'd just redetect everythin and carry on after all the **** is installed, but ntx is a *****, and so if i get this problem i usually just format and set everything up how it was again, mind you i can get it identical within 9 hours... ask any1 that saw the resuults of my last format ;)

[Anonymous]

The answer is simple. Windows NT, 2000 and XP will give you an IDE boot error if you try to use the same setup on a motherboard with different southbridge chipsets or whatever controller device you are using - There is no real solution to this, aside from formatting and reinstalling.

The only solution, which isn't very efficent, is to copy the System folders of C:\Windows from a motherboard which uses the same chipsets as what you are trying to use. It normally leaves you with more errors than it is worth.

[Splash]

thanks for the concise answer Mr Tweak.

Now, what do u reccomend. Reinstall obviously.
Can i expect to reinstall W2K in the same partition as original and have it pick up the exisitng settings?
if yes can i cut out a step and just install XP over existing w2k installation and have it pick up the settings?
or am i back to square one, full reinstall?
Pls advise.

Everyone's answers much appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

I always prefer doing a total fromat for each new install.

[Birdkiller]

you should be able to reinstall w2k over yer existing install and it will work and keep yer current settings, i do this all the time when i am swapping HDDs between computers. so far i have seen no ill effects from it, and then upgrade to xp once its workin properly

[Anonymous]

Make sure you choose the upgrade and not New Installation option though... :)

[Splash]

Thank u BK & Mr Tweak. :)

U are in fact Tweak Gods!

Cheers

[SileNceR]

when u change the system that dramatically, xp 2k nt, they all kick up a fuss, you could do same with a 98 install and it'd just redetect everythin and carry on after all the **** is installed, but ntx is a *****, and so if i get this problem i usually just format and set everything up how it was again, mind you i can get it identical within 9 hours... ask any1 that saw the resuults of my last format ;)

saw? I didn't see anything... different from before... and thats the whole point :P

[brashquido]

If you are wondering what the hell causes this, it has a name. It's called the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and as Mr. Tweak said, it is to do with hardware and firmware level differences between motheroards, and as it works at a very low level in the OS, it can't be played with a great deal.

[DigitalDD]

hmm.. I've had good luck using Aloha Bob's PC Relocator to move all documents and user settings from one PC to a new one.. you have to have a way of linking up the 2 PCs though [ethernet, laplink/nullmodem cable, or USB]. I never used it on any of my own systems but i have used it to help other people migrate to a new computer with no problems.

http://www.alohabob.com/products.asp