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dodnof

I had two old systems laying around. One had a slow processor, not much memory, and XP running on it. The other had a much faster processor, a lot of memory, but was running Windows 98 on it. I pulled the HD with XP on it and swapped it into the system in place of the HD that was running Windows 98. I tried to boot the system but it will not load with windows xp. It takes me to a screen that gives me an option to load in safe mode, load last good config, etc. No matter what selection I make, it takes me back to this screen after restarting. Please give me some advice as to what I need to do to get this HD with XP working in my system. Thanks!!

Thingamajig · 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by dodnof

I had two old systems laying around. One had a slow processor, not much memory, and XP running on it. The other had a much faster processor, a lot of memory, but was running Windows 98 on it. I pulled the HD with XP on it and swapped it into the system in place of the HD that was running Windows 98. I tried to boot the system but it will not load with windows xp. It takes me to a screen that gives me an option to load in safe mode, load last good config, etc. No matter what selection I make, it takes me back to this screen after restarting. Please give me some advice as to what I need to do to get this HD with XP working in my system. Thanks!!

To be frank; you'll have to re-install XP.

You cant just swap one harddrive (with a O.S installed) into a completely new setup and expect it to work - this is because the O.S adapts itself to the hardware it was connected to at installation.

This doesn't mean that if you buy a new graphics card, processor or RAM, that you'll have to re-install XP. usually you only have to do this if its a different motherboard.

the only fix is to either put the harddrive back into its old setup. or re-install the operating system again (which is what i'd do) To do this you will need the XP installation disk.

madmonkey

Absolutely, Thing is right. Windows XP will not work unless the motherboard between the two PC's are identical are very very similar in make and model.

Thingamajig · 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by madmonkey

Absolutely, Thing is right. Windows XP will not work unless the motherboard between the two PC's are identical are very very similar in make and model.

Something tells me that his motivation for doing this is because he's;

1. lost the XP installtion disk.

2. or its a OEM O.S brought from a pc manufacturer (Compaq for example) which has a disk with the O.S on it, but its written, and will only work for a computer of specific hardware specifications.

3. just didn't know its unlikely to work.

if #1, he's kinda buggered. only solution would be to go out and purchase a new XP disk

If #2, would i be right in thinking that legally he would be entitled to the official microsoft XP OEM disk if he rang up his manufacturer.......?

If #3. now he knows

. you learn something new everyday on this site

madmonkey

Yep, he's legally entitled to a XP cd from the manufacturer, however they will always ask what happened to the CD that came with the PC. Some may charge a fee for sending out additional CD's, others may refuse. You can always try to claim that you never received the CD in the first place.

The only problem I can see is, depending on the manufacturer, some may provide a recovery CD instead of an installation CD (as you know). A recovery CD is usless too, as it would be intended for that particular PC. Even if Dod did manage to get hold of an original setup CD, he will legally need to remove XP from the other PC.

dodnof

Yeah, basically it is my fiance's old PC and my grandfathers old PC. They have been sitting around collecting dust in my warehouse, but I figured if I could swap parts between them to have a decent system I could at least use it as an additional shipping dept computer for sending stuff out on our UPS and checking customers orders. She lost all the install cd's for the XP comp long ago. Oh well, I actually just cleaned the old win 98 version up and hooked it up and it'll do for browsing internet and checking emails out in the warehouse. Thanks, I plan on checking back with this site often now for all my questions. Very quick responses and great info!

madmonkey

Thanks Dod.. marked as Answered.

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