OS help

[neo_philiac]

Hey Guys: I know this is technically not a programming problem but my computer just crashed(bad motherboard) and I need help. I got another computer but I need to run the OS (XP) from the old hard drive. Now I can boot to different HD but is there a program (like MS Virtual PC) to run the old XP from the within the running XP? I want to switch back and forth.

I would appreciate your help.

Thanks

[Twey]

Hm, no, I don't think so. You could run the OS (using qemu, Bochs, whatever), but the hardware presented to it will be different, causing the famous Windows bug/anti-piracy measure (last I knew, no-one was sure what it actually was) to kick in and make the whole thing blue-screen and die.

[ItsMeOnly]

Well, the only chance is to use a virtual machine, like VMWare, though, it might not even be possible to deploy old XP under new mainboard- or processor family to be exact, I couldn't run XP installed on Celeron under Pentium IV, immediate bluescreen on boot.

[djr33]

It's probably possible to get the data off the drive in another way. No need to run the OS, as long as you get everything from it, right?

[neo_philiac]

well the objective is not to get the data but run the OS and all the programs installed in it. I am amazed that there is no other way around it with the different processor.

[djr33]

Ah. Programs.
Yeah, piracy issues will likely get in the way.

Just like you can't copy the program files folder from one computer to another. (And other reasons.)

Really, though, just reinstall the programs. You can get the data (even if it's part of a program, like settings) by copying specific files from the harddrive.
You should have CDs for the software. Even if you did download the software, then that's no reason to need the old computer... just do it again. (I'm not suggesting that you *should* do it, but it's not like it's any more legal to run the old copy than to do it again...)
I don't really see why you'd need the old system.... except for ease of use. But, really, how long can it take to set it up again?

[BLiZZaRD]

Maybe I am missing the point, but why not just install the new motherboard in the older computer, or the older HDD into the newer computer?

Might be possible to set up a daughterboard system as well, depending on what is wrong with your old motherboard...

[Twey]

Because:
the hardware presented to it will be different, causing the famous Windows bug/anti-piracy measure (last I knew, no-one was sure what it actually was) to kick in and make the whole thing blue-screen and die.A new motherboard always requires a new install of Windows, as far as I'm aware. It certainly stopped me in my tracks when I tried to do something similar.

[BLiZZaRD]

Hmmm... could be one of those, if you are stupid enough things just work?? I had a motherboard go south and bought a new one, actually I bought a computer minus the hard drive. I took my old MB and swapped them and everything worked. Dunno...

[Twey]

Hm... perhaps if they were the same model? I'm no hardware wizard.

[GITs]

XP, no matter how good it is, needs to configure itself with your chipset when it installs, and if you change mobo, it sure as hell don't like it... the best thing you can do with your old hard disk is to take what you need and re-format it, that or you could buy another mobo of the same model as your old one, no guarantee that this will work though, haven't tried it myself, but there is no reason it shouldn't...

[tech_support]

Windows has an anti-piracy measure that will stop and cause a BSOD (Blue screen of death) when you change any piece of hardware.

It is legal to install the software on another machine as long as you practically destroy the software on the other machine (set it on fire, hammer it, etc.).

If the software requires activation (eg. Adobe CS2) then ring the Customer Service when activating explaining the situation (I done it heaps of time).

Windows still won't activate if you have the same motherboard model because of the serial number.

[GITs]

Windows still won't activate if you have the same motherboard model because of the serial number.

Stupid me, yes, I remember this now, sorry was late at night when i posted, not exactly on top form lol

[BLiZZaRD]

Could be something to that then. When I did it my HDD was a FAT32, not NTFS... It was a while ago :)

[Acey99]

ok.

try this (Duh!)

have the old hd as a 2nd drive kill the Windows folder (Kill's the Registry)
make old hd primary.

Reinstall Windows!

sure you'll have to reinstall apps again, but data is still intact.

& winders is so stupid it'll work :)

or try um SAFE mode & copy the data !

gee even in safe mode windows will work - sorta.

[Freeman]

Doesn't Linux support a browser that allows you to switch between multiple operating systems that are running at the same time on the same machine? Even with what ever problem windows has it should work. If you want to know more let me know. JF

[tech_support]

ok.

try this (Duh!)

have the old hd as a 2nd drive kill the Windows folder (Kill's the Registry)
make old hd primary.

Reinstall Windows!

sure you'll have to reinstall apps again, but data is still intact.

& winders is so stupid it'll work :)

or try um SAFE mode & copy the data !

gee even in safe mode windows will work - sorta.
What's the point of that?

If you still want the app's then put the Windows CD in, selecting your hard drive and pressing "R" for Repair. It'll repair the installation, give you your data and applications **hopefully** and you'll have 30 days to grab it off or reactivate.