URGENT - how to copy hard disk to a new PC???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi everyone:


I'm in a true bind over the following. I have a computer at the office,
which I decided to upgrade with more RAM. As a result I think I fried the
mainboard in it as it doesn't start anymore, even with the old RAM. The hard
drive in it is intact and it contains lots of software several thousand $$
worth. It has Windows 2000 Pro installed and is broken on 2 partitions. Now I
have another PC with a totally different hardware.

My first question is, what if I take the hard disk from a fried PC and put
it into a new one? Will it work or will it crash without any chance of
recovery. Again I'm not that worried about hardware as software.

Second question is, how to copy the entire hard drive to a new one?

Your help will be greatly appreciated!!! I don't have much time to fix that.
I might easily get fired over it if I don't fix it. ANY IDEAS PLEASE!
 
I have had motherboards lock like that and removed main power connector to board and then re-attach
and have it come back to life. If you have to put hard drive into new system you will need to do a
repair install, you will not lose the data that is on there. Just google repair install and you
will find several sites with step by step instructions.
 
what if I take the hard disk from a fried PC and put
it into a new one?
Click to expand...

No reason it shouldn't work if it's still functioning.

how to copy the entire hard drive to a new one?

No reason to copy. Just change the jumper on the "old" HD to make it the
master. When you turn on the machine, it should recognize the Windows
installation. You will have 2 hard disks, 1 "old" master HD divided into
two partitions, and one "new" HD. You will probably have to do a repair
install of the Win2k pro, but you won't lose any files or settings.
Everything should be as it was before the crash. Check this out:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/windows2000/Repair/index.htm
This is assuming that you have a bootable CD with Windows and a key.

Good luck.
Paul
 
I am not clear on you intention other than to install the old HD on a
different computer. The result being that the second computer will now
have two hard drives.

Now, is the drive from the other computer intended to be the one from
which the computer boots or, since you mention copying the contents to
the other drive, is the second computer's HD to remain the boot drive?

Does the "other" computer boot/work now? Are there programs/data on that
computer you have to/want to keep?

Let us know.

Tom
MSMVP
Windows Shell/User

: Hi everyone:
:
:
: I'm in a true bind over the following. I have a computer at the
office,
: which I decided to upgrade with more RAM. As a result I think I fried
the
: mainboard in it as it doesn't start anymore, even with the old RAM.
The hard
: drive in it is intact and it contains lots of software several
thousand $$
: worth. It has Windows 2000 Pro installed and is broken on 2
partitions. Now I
: have another PC with a totally different hardware.
:
: My first question is, what if I take the hard disk from a fried PC and
put
: it into a new one? Will it work or will it crash without any chance of
: recovery. Again I'm not that worried about hardware as software.
:
: Second question is, how to copy the entire hard drive to a new one?
:
: Your help will be greatly appreciated!!! I don't have much time to fix
that.
: I might easily get fired over it if I don't fix it. ANY IDEAS PLEASE!
 
Hi everyone:


I'm in a true bind over the following. I have a computer at the office,
which I decided to upgrade with more RAM. As a result I think I fried the
mainboard in it as it doesn't start anymore, even with the old RAM. The hard
drive in it is intact and it contains lots of software several thousand $$
worth. It has Windows 2000 Pro installed and is broken on 2 partitions. Now I
have another PC with a totally different hardware.

My first question is, what if I take the hard disk from a fried PC and put
it into a new one? Will it work or will it crash without any chance of
recovery. Again I'm not that worried about hardware as software.

Second question is, how to copy the entire hard drive to a new one?

Your help will be greatly appreciated!!! I don't have much time to fix that.
I might easily get fired over it if I don't fix it. ANY IDEAS PLEASE!
Click to expand...

It should work fine plugging it into another PC. Note, however, that
you will probably not be able to recover the software off it, only the
data.
 
dc2000 said:
Hi everyone:


I'm in a true bind over the following. I have a computer at the office,
which I decided to upgrade with more RAM. As a result I think I fried the
mainboard in it as it doesn't start anymore, even with the old RAM. The hard
drive in it is intact and it contains lots of software several thousand $$
worth. It has Windows 2000 Pro installed and is broken on 2 partitions. Now I
have another PC with a totally different hardware.

My first question is, what if I take the hard disk from a fried PC and put
it into a new one? Will it work or will it crash without any chance of
recovery. Again I'm not that worried about hardware as software.

Second question is, how to copy the entire hard drive to a new one?

Your help will be greatly appreciated!!! I don't have much time to fix that.
I might easily get fired over it if I don't fix it. ANY IDEAS PLEASE!
Click to expand...


Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations and
licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before
starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old
one (same chipset, IDE/SCSI controllers, etc), you'll most likely need
to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very
least (and don't forget to reinstall any service packs and subsequent
hot fixes):

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

What an In-Place Win2K Upgrade Changes and What It Doesn't
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306952

If that fails:

How to Move a Windows 2000 Installation to Different Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q249694&ID=KB;EN-US;Q249694



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
 
Back
Top