new hardware old hdd

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computer_noob

New Member
and xp doesnt load properly started it in safe mode it loads (but i cant get around the registry to windows since i have to start windows normally to register) whenever i start xp normally computer restarts. i guess what im trying to find out is my hard drive broken or is it software and if it is how do i transfer my os to another interanl hard drive
 
you wont be able to transfer the OS. The hd might be broken, but i doubt it because you can boot up in safe mode. Can you install an antivirus program on your computer? Try to, and then check for viruses. Similar thing happened when my dads computer had a virus. Then of course, you may have to re install windows
 
You can clone an OS to another drive but then you will be cloning the problems you already have. A fresh install is always better , just remember to back up all your files first.
 
ok so i was messing with it last night i dont think my hard drive is broken but i think it has to do with the registry of xp do i have to register it before it loads or something. i had this hard drive in my old computer about a day ago and it worked.
 
From what I've gathered, you took your hard drive from an old computer and tried to put it into a totally different one? If this is the case, its because your windows install still thinks its trying to run the old computer, not the new one. It'll boot in safe mode because safe mode uses minimal drivers and is more or less unaffected by this swap. In order to sort this out (assuming the above is the case), you will either have to reinstall windows, or uninstall the old hardware and install all your new hardwares drivers from safe mode. If possible, its probably the better option to just start from scratch with a clean install, should save you a lot of headaches.
 
CardboardSword said:
From what I've gathered, you took your hard drive from an old computer and tried to put it into a totally different one? If this is the case, its because your windows install still thinks its trying to run the old computer, not the new one. It'll boot in safe mode because safe mode uses minimal drivers and is more or less unaffected by this swap. In order to sort this out (assuming the above is the case), you will either have to reinstall windows, or uninstall the old hardware and install all your new hardwares drivers from safe mode. If possible, its probably the better option to just start from scratch with a clean install, should save you a lot of headaches.
Click to expand...

yeah thats pretty much it.....so if i dont have xp disc what should i do.
 
computer_noob said:
yeah thats pretty much it.....so if i dont have xp disc what should i do.
Click to expand...

When installing an OS it is married to the motherboard, you can't swap out the HDD into a new computer/motherboard. You can format the HDD and reinstall windows for the best result. You will need to come up with an installation disk, there is no way around that.
 
You have two options in my opinion:

1) Buy a new Windows Installation Disk for about $60
http://www.ioffer.com/i/Microsoft-WINDOWS-XP-PRO-Professional-SP2-OEM-with-COA--94430746

2) Get a Linux Installation Disk (you can buy them off Ioffer.com for around $6) and use it to install a Linux Operating System. (I would prefer Linux Ubuntu 8.10)
http://www.ioffer.com/i/Ubuntu-8-10-Ultimate-Boot-CD-5-0-econo-Combo--95729762

Before you install a new operating system be sure to back up any data you value to another secondary storage device as you could erase all the data on your hard drive.
 
If going the Ubuntu route, you can find many a place to just download it and burn it to a DVD yourself if you feel so inclined. Not that the retail version is expensive, but it is a bit more hassle than downloading and burning a DVD, assuming you have the means to do so.
 
is there a way to use a usb instead of cd and where can i find a website for windows xp.


if i installed linux how would i fix the xp issue
 
Linux Ubuntu 8.10 is an entirely new operating system. It wouldn't fix your XP issue, but you would have a new operating system that is very resistance to malicious software. The downside of Ubuntu is a lot of software is written for Windows so it doesn't work with Ubuntu.

If you are looking for a place to download Windows for free I wouldn't waste my time. Places that advertise illegal copies of Windows usually are loaded with malicious software.

Edit: Here is Microsoft's website about Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...BAA5CBB-AD18-424B-8C19-52E2A144C6B1&WT.srch=1
 
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