Cloning, Imaging, or some other process?

[burnm3w1thf1r3]

So I have a computer which is currently "dead" I haven't traced the exact source or issue yet but data is crucial so I need to backup first. The problem and needed solution in question is... There is software on the drive that I cannot get back and do not have the funds to buy them again. How do I salvage the software?

In a few search I was lead to Cloning the HDD or Imaging the HDD. I've never done either so I don't know which I should do or if one of those processes would even help me. I was under the impression that Cloning take everything, including the Windows OS and software and puts it on another HDD (or else where) and that you can just switch the drives and be on your way. Is that correct or did I miss something?

If the above assumption is correct is there a free cloner that works well? And is the above assumption is wrong then what can I do to salvage all the software and reuse it on a new drive? (Operating system isn't a big deal. I have a disk and the code that came with the computer, but the paid software on the computer is what NEEDS to be salvaged).

 

[voyagerfan99]

What's the specific issue you're having? If it's OS related, then cloning your drive won't help you.

You can't just place your drive in another machine. It'll BSOD on boot.

You can't copy the software installation. But if you have the installer file for it, you can copy that to a flashdrive or something.

If none of that is an option, contact the company you got the software from and ask for another download or some kind of replacement. Most companies don't leave you high and dry like that, especially if it's a decent $$$$.

 

[burnm3w1thf1r3]

Well the issue is... The screen was all messed up, almost as if the screen was punched. However the monitor was fine (plugged it into another computer and it worked fine). So this being known I assumed it was the VGA port on the motherboard. So I played with the plug and then I would turn the pc on. To which I would get the boot screen and it would seem like it was booting normal. However right before the windows XP loading screen (splash screen, black background) it would either just stay black, or one time it booted, it had strange DOS dots going down the left side (almost as if CMD was open and characters were messed up). ONCE I got the Windows XP loading screen but when that went away and the blue login screen was supposed to appear it just stayed black and nothing would happen. So I pulled the drive out and put it in another computer with similar specs by the same company (knowing its not just plug and play, but no BSOD ever, it just boot loops. Brings me to the windows was not shutdown properly screen and you can choose safe mode, last known good configuration, and start normally (with the other options) but no matter the choice you pick, it just restarts and the process begins again (I've tried every option).

So anyways the main problem is... I'm bouncing between a bad VGA (motherboard) or a failing hard drive. I don't have a confirmation on either seeing as the board does not support an aftermarket video card, and I can't put the hdd into another computer to boot.

Basically the computer belongs to my old boss and she doesn't have the installer disks for the software she uses and each program she uses is over $100 per software. So I'm just trying to keep this going until she retires.

 

[G25r8cer]

Have you tried accessing the bios and doing a hardware check/test? Most pre-built computers have a diagnostic tool in the bios. This is how I recently diagnosed a bad hard drive in a laptop I was fixing for someone.

 

[burnm3w1thf1r3]

Have you tried accessing the bios and doing a hardware check/test? Most pre-built computers have a diagnostic tool in the bios. This is how I recently diagnosed a bad hard drive in a laptop I was fixing for someone.

I actually can't. I have the computer at my house trying to get the data off it so I can work without fear of losing something and after hooking it up to my peripherals it doesn't send any kind of signal to my monitor. I don't get a manufacturer screen, bios screen, boot screen, not even a flicker when I turn the pc on. Coincidentally I get the same effect from my old pc that has been sitting in the corner for months since I built my new computer. So I can't do anything with the computer I'm working on here. I did however set the hard drive in my computer as a secondary and I can access the data fine. So I'm assuming the motherboard is shot (mainly the VGA).

So I just wanted to check... is it possible to buy the exact same motherboard and swap it out, plug everything back in and go on with my business or would that still require a new drive or format and reinstall Windows?

 

[Punk]

For you software issue I think the easiest way is to contact their company and ask them for another CD-Key/Installer or if they can, make it so you can use your CD-key once again.

If you can access the data when on secondary drive, do that to get all the folders and files you want to keep, that way if it's the HDD failing you'll still have those folders and files before it completely dies.

AS far as the motherboard goes, if I'm not mistaken your OS will recognize that you changed your motherboard, it won't work. I'm not 100% sure on this so wait for further responses before doing anything.

I did have that booting loop problem with my old PC (that I threw out a few month ago), after many re-installs, changed a few hardware (wireless card) it never got fixed. It was the HDD failing for me and since it was an old computer I threw it.

PS: If you want to know if it's the HDD failing I would recommend downloading and burning the manufacturer's diagnostic boot cd. That way you'll know if that is the problem.