XP doesn't load after I transfer HD.

lazyturbo

New Member
I have 2 computers. And I want to move one of the hard drives from one computer to the other computer. When I do this, XP doesn't load It just shows a black screen.

What's wrong? Thanks.
 
I didn't change the jumpers because it was a master originally, and I still have it as a master after I transferred it over. I always only have one hard drive plugged into a computer at all times.

I'm not sure what you mean by "ghost the drive". And not having transferred hidden system files. I transferred the whole hard drive already, what else can I transfer?
 
There are a ton of hidden system files in Windows.. A straight copy generally doesn't copy them. Ghosting the drive refers to using a utility, such as Norton Ghost, to make a sector by sector clone of the drive.
 
I have 2 computers. And I want to move one of the hard drives from one computer to the other computer. When I do this, XP doesn't load It just shows a black screen.

What's wrong? Thanks.

Whenever you take a hard drive that has XP installed on it and put it in another computer as master boot drive then you will have to do a repair installation because all the drivers for the hardware has changed. You'll have a different motherboard with different hardware attached to it. You will have to do a repair installation in order for XP to boot.
 
That's not necessarily true actually. There is a rather ingenious way of doing it without reinstalling. If anyone is interested, drop me a PM or something.
 
I have 2 computers. And I want to move one of the hard drives from one computer to the other computer. When I do this, XP doesn't load It just shows a black screen.

What's wrong? Thanks.

Do this before you change the hard drives,go to device manager and select the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller and select your current storage controller. Right click, select update driver and select install from a list or specific location. Click don't search I will choose the driver to install and select the standard dual channel IDE controller. uninstall your video drivers if the other one has a different video card, then change the drive and boot into safe mode on the first boot to see if it will boot and install the right drivers, if it does then boot in normal mode and update all your drivers
 
k, I managed to fix Windows XP by using Floppy Boot Disks. I just have to install a couple drivers and figure out this acitivation problem...LOL.

Thanks Guys.
 
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