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

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

    Have a 20GB Samsung 6 mths old with W2K installed and all tweaked out how I like it.

    Old system (P3 450) is a little slow these days.
    Picked up a 2nd hand p3 800 and Asus board cheap ($200) so I’m giving it a go. have a new vid card (G3 400MX 64M) and sound card too. New case. Same Mits CD burner and NIC. Same 256 MB RAM.

    OK so I can assemble all the bits - floppy drive was giving me the $hit$ and not working - no problem.

    When I boot it loads up ok w2k starts then, oh oh, BSOD. :snip:
    Stop Error message about no bootable device.

    What the ??? I hadn’t expected this.
    Apparently the Software can tell that the system config has changed and locks me out.
    Put the bits back in the original case & config - works fine.

    backed all up via drive image onto 7 CDs just in case I FUBAR.

    tried reinstall w2k. rather than wipe current settings etc I installed to different folder. New installation works ok but has all the customisations gone. All programs are there on the drive, etc but the start menu, desktop and customisations are all generic.

    Questions
    1. Can I make the existing install work properly on the new set-up without it spitting this stop error. Note I can restore the DI image file if this will help. OR

    2. can I merge all the customisations of the 2 separate w2k installs onto either the original or new OS install?

    Note also I am going to upgrade to XP pro shortly as well. was waiting till I had the W2K install all working properly first and then upgrade from there.

    Should I bite the bullet and just upgrade to xp over the preferred w2k installation.

    Oh bloody hell - I dunno.
    Help please - all suggestions not involving ritual sacrifice greatly appreciated.
    Splash

    :afro:
    OK so my signature is lame - I can live with it!

  • #2
    Originally posted by Splash
    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.

    Comment


    • #3
      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?
      Splash

      :afro:
      OK so my signature is lame - I can live with it!

      Comment


      • #4
        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 ;)

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        • #5
          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.

          Comment


          • #6
            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!!
            Splash

            :afro:
            OK so my signature is lame - I can live with it!

            Comment


            • #7
              I always prefer doing a total fromat for each new install.

              Comment


              • #8
                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

                Comment


                • #9
                  Make sure you choose the upgrade and not New Installation option though... :)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank u BK & Mr Tweak. :)

                    U are in fact Tweak Gods!

                    Cheers
                    Splash

                    :afro:
                    OK so my signature is lame - I can live with it!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by 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 ;)
                      saw? I didn't see anything... different from before... and thats the whole point :P
                      SileNceR, Messenger of the Dark and the Night. To post quality, or not to post at all, THAT is the Question - Never again ask what can my post count do for me besides increasing my ego, but instead ask what can I do to help someone else!
                      Overclockers Melbourne (http://www.ocmelbourne.com).

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        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.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          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

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