Solve : Switching Hard Drives Between Different Computers?

1.	Solve : Switching Hard Drives Between Different Computers?
Answer» Greetings. What does it take, if at all possible, to move a hard drive over from an IBM laptop to a Toshiba Laptop, and leave everything in tact? (Can it even be done?)I realize that each system has their own sets of drivers, etc. However, they also both have the ability to recognize a C drive. I have an IBM T30, loaded with XP Pro. I would like to move it over onto a Toshiba Satellite Pro 6K. I initially tried to, but all I GET is a small blinking prompt. The IBM drive was installed with a Windows disk; I DID NOT REINSTALL FROM AN IBM PARTITION. IN FACT, THAT PARTITION IS NOT ON THIS DRIVE. I labeled C as typical "Local Disk C". I installed all drivers manually. Also, this drive has a PowerQuest version of PartitionMagic installed, and I split the drive in half (total 120g). The new second drive is "Local Disk D", Prim, Ext. Operating sys has just about all the important service packs and updates. It is also protected with Symantec Corp Version 8.00.9374, which is only virus protection, and the most recent free ZoneAlarm. The administrator has a password. I am way beyond novice, but I am not a pro. If I need to hijack drive info, then I'll go ahead get what I need to do that, and post. I'm thinking that this can't be done, but then again, maybe it can with a little work. I can't seem to find anything addressing it in cyberspace (which is KIND of weird, I can't be the only guy who has wanted to try this...). Thanks.Quote I'm thinking that this can't be done, but then again, maybe it can with a little work. You're right - it can't be done. When you install Windows on a PC, it is very much tailored to the hardware it finds, down to very low level. Put the hard drive in another machine and it usually won't even get to login, as you have found. moondust,I don't see any reference as to why you want to do this "swap". If it is just for accessing the data on a defective computer could you not simply purchase a laptop HDD external case and install the HDD in it and then connect it to a USB port and access it that way?truenorththere are way to many reasons it wouldn't work right: none of the drivers will be able to load! Sound Drivers, VIDEO Drivers, IDE drivers, Chipset drivers, will all fail to load or hang the computer. Even if by some chance the systems are similiar enough to start windows at all, XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated, so if that was what you were trying to avoid...Well, I figured as much. Just wanted to see if anyone had ever accomplished such a task. As far as just accessing data, I know I can do that through a USB. I have four external cases for this purpose. My problem is that I just got this machine up and running recently, thinking that an unmentioned source had rendered it to me without any strings attached. Suddenly, strings just got attached. So unless I want to come up with $500, and BUY it out right, I have to pull everything and start from scratch. I still have to reload ALLLL my programs, and I have a TON; you know where I’m going with this. It’s like working on a Harley or a CJ… it gets old after a while. I have done so much computer work, people keep telling me to go to school and get certified. But you know what? Thanks to MS, these things operate on MOONDUST! One minute you think you have a problem figured out, the next you’re scratching your bottom side and your top side trying to figure out why the same problem can’t be fixed… the same way! I know pro hacks that have been doing this stuff for 30 years who say the same thing. So, all that to say, I’m tired. I want the cheesy, easy way out, if at all possible. I’m wondering if I just load the drivers for the Toshiba into the system, if that might help it to boot on a Toshiba board. Windows Activation, well I didn’t give that one a thought. But, I can work around that one latter. Just load windows over itself with another disk, with its own key. I have access to that. As far as problems down to the lowest level… what are we talking… bios? I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on. Unless the registry entries from the IBM are throwing a curve ball… As you can see, I am very determined here… Thanx for everyone’s input!Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 26, 2008, 07:04:03 PM XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated Except a corporate edition of XP Pro Which explains why a company's IT staff can install on one machine, adjust the setup just right, and then transfer its installation via a Ghost image to a large number of identical machines. It also explains why naughty people like the corporate edition. Quote from: moondust on May 26, 2008, 07:38:33 PM As far as problems down to the lowest level… what are we talking… bios? At installation, a section of the OS called the "Hardware Abstraction Layer" is built from scratch. The motherboard is interrogated and all the hardware on it is checked out and the HAL is built up. For example, some IDE channel controllers are specific enough to a particular system to cause problems. Say you moved an XP installation from an Intel chipset to a Via. You would get a 'blue screen of death' on boot reading "Inaccessible boot device". Quote I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on. Oh yes it does. This is your big mistake. Quote As you can see, I am very determined here… That's one way of putting it! Quote from: Dias de verano on May 27, 2008, 12:04:19 AM Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 26, 2008, 07:04:03 PM XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated Except a corporate edition of XP Pro Which explains why a company's IT staff can install on one machine, adjust the setup just right, and then transfer its installation via a Ghost image to a large number of identical machines. It also explains why naughty people like the corporate edition. I'm well aware of that. I was assuming our friend here wasn't naughty. Also some pre-installed versions are dependent on the BIOS to remain activated. I wasn't really paying attention when I read it though, so I don't remember the details. (maybe I'm thinking of Vista?) Quote from: moondust on May 26, 2008, 07:38:33 PM I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on. Dusts off Apple IIe, preparing to install XP... Well, I just got in from work. Read through all the replies. I want to thank everyone for the input and responses. I guess it makes sense that Mr. Gates & Comp. would purposely make it difficult for someone to do what I am trying to accomplish. Duhhh... what was I thinking? Do I get a "5 minute time out for that??" You guys have been very effective at whittling away at my determination. Guess I'll be shelling out for another hard drive for the other machine and digging out my creeper. I just love the smell of drained oil... Peace.While a freshman in High School, our English teacher asserted "Experience is the best teacher, right?" After individually grilling us one by one, most of us agreed with this truism. Then he sprang! "No, no, no... People die from experience! Besides, it's time consuming! Far better to learn from the experience of OTHERS". Much time has passed. And then you the "Chosen One" appear. Let us know how it goes. Move Current Hard Drive to a New Windows XP SystemQuote from: dahlarbear on May 28, 2008, 12:58:14 PM Far better to learn from the experience of others". Otto von Bismarck (I think) said that. Quote from: dahlarbear on May 28, 2008, 12:58:14 PM Much time has passed. And then you the "Chosen One" appear. Let us know how it goes. Move Current Hard Drive to a New Windows XP System dahlarbear - U R Da Man! I should have known better than to give up with out a fight... ElderGeek! I can't believe I missed that one! I'm reading through all the fine print... gonna give it a try. Looks pretty straight forward and painless - no oil on my Snap-Ons! Probably won't happen for a few days though... I gotta get everything backed up onto MyBook. I'm gonna take this slow. Probably shoot to do it over the weekend. I will post back with results... I AM THE CHOSEN ONE! I AM THE CHOSEN ONE! (Excuse me Mcloud, but will I be need'n me sword fer this one?) Thanx man!Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 27, 2008, 04:08:54 AM I was assuming our friend here wasn't naughty. I'm pretty naughty myself why, my XP install has "naughty" written all over it...I'm definitely going to censored when i die...

Answer»

Greetings.
What does it take, if at all possible, to move a hard drive over from an IBM laptop to a Toshiba Laptop, and leave everything in tact? (Can it even be done?)I realize that each system has their own sets of drivers, etc. However, they also both have the ability to recognize a C drive. I have an IBM T30, loaded with XP Pro. I would like to move it over onto a Toshiba Satellite Pro 6K. I initially tried to, but all I GET is a small blinking prompt.
The IBM drive was installed with a Windows disk; I DID NOT REINSTALL FROM AN IBM PARTITION. IN FACT, THAT PARTITION IS NOT ON THIS DRIVE. I labeled C as typical "Local Disk C". I installed all drivers manually. Also, this drive has a PowerQuest version of PartitionMagic installed, and I split the drive in half (total 120g). The new second drive is "Local Disk D", Prim, Ext. Operating sys has just about all the important service packs and updates. It is also protected with Symantec Corp Version 8.00.9374, which is only virus protection, and the most recent free ZoneAlarm. The administrator has a password.
I am way beyond novice, but I am not a pro. If I need to hijack drive info, then I'll go ahead get what I need to do that, and post. I'm thinking that this can't be done, but then again, maybe it can with a little work. I can't seem to find anything addressing it in cyberspace (which is KIND of weird, I can't be the only guy who has wanted to try this...). Thanks.Quote

I'm thinking that this can't be done, but then again, maybe it can with a little work.

You're right - it can't be done. When you install Windows on a PC, it is very much tailored to the hardware it finds, down to very low level. Put the hard drive in another machine and it usually won't even get to login, as you have found.

moondust,I don't see any reference as to why you want to do this "swap". If it is just for accessing the data on a defective computer could you not simply purchase a laptop HDD external case and install the HDD in it and then connect it to a USB port and access it that way?truenorththere are way to many reasons it wouldn't work right:

none of the drivers will be able to load! Sound Drivers, VIDEO Drivers, IDE drivers, Chipset drivers, will all fail to load or hang the computer.

Even if by some chance the systems are similiar enough to start windows at all, XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated, so if that was what you were trying to avoid...Well, I figured as much. Just wanted to see if anyone had ever accomplished such a task. As far as just accessing data, I know I can do that through a USB. I have four external cases for this purpose. My problem is that I just got this machine up and running recently, thinking that an unmentioned source had rendered it to me without any strings attached. Suddenly, strings just got attached. So unless I want to come up with $500, and BUY it out right, I have to pull everything and start from scratch. I still have to reload ALLLL my programs, and I have a TON; you know where I’m going with this. It’s like working on a Harley or a CJ… it gets old after a while. I have done so much computer work, people keep telling me to go to school and get certified. But you know what? Thanks to MS, these things operate on MOONDUST! One minute you think you have a problem figured out, the next you’re scratching your bottom side and your top side trying to figure out why the same problem can’t be fixed… the same way! I know pro hacks that have been doing this stuff for 30 years who say the same thing.

So, all that to say, I’m tired. I want the cheesy, easy way out, if at all possible. I’m wondering if I just load the drivers for the Toshiba into the system, if that might help it to boot on a Toshiba board. Windows Activation, well I didn’t give that one a thought. But, I can work around that one latter. Just load windows over itself with another disk, with its own key. I have access to that. As far as problems down to the lowest level… what are we talking… bios? I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on. Unless the registry entries from the IBM are throwing a curve ball…

As you can see, I am very determined here…

Thanx for everyone’s input!Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 26, 2008, 07:04:03 PM

XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated

Except a corporate edition of XP Pro Which explains why a company's IT staff can install on one machine, adjust the setup just right, and then transfer its installation via a Ghost image to a large number of identical machines. It also explains why naughty people like the corporate edition.

Quote from: moondust on May 26, 2008, 07:38:33 PM

As far as problems down to the lowest level… what are we talking… bios?

At installation, a section of the OS called the "Hardware Abstraction Layer" is built from scratch. The motherboard is interrogated and all the hardware on it is checked out and the HAL is built up. For example, some IDE channel controllers are specific enough to a particular system to cause problems. Say you moved an XP installation from an Intel chipset to a Via. You would get a 'blue screen of death' on boot reading "Inaccessible boot device".

Quote

I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on.

Oh yes it does. This is your big mistake.

Quote

As you can see, I am very determined here…

That's one way of putting it!
Quote from: Dias de verano on May 27, 2008, 12:04:19 AM

Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 26, 2008, 07:04:03 PM
XP will realize it is on a totally different machine and insist on being activated

Except a corporate edition of XP Pro Which explains why a company's IT staff can install on one machine, adjust the setup just right, and then transfer its installation via a Ghost image to a large number of identical machines. It also explains why naughty people like the corporate edition.

I'm well aware of that. I was assuming our friend here wasn't naughty. Also some pre-installed versions are dependent on the BIOS to remain activated. I wasn't really paying attention when I read it though, so I don't remember the details. (maybe I'm thinking of Vista?)

Quote from: moondust on May 26, 2008, 07:38:33 PM

I mean, Windows is Windows. It doesn’t care what machine it is on.

*Dusts off Apple IIe, preparing to install XP...*
Well, I just got in from work. Read through all the replies. I want to thank everyone for the input and responses. I guess it makes sense that Mr. Gates & Comp. would purposely make it difficult for someone to do what I am trying to accomplish. Duhhh... what was I thinking? Do I get a "5 minute time out for that??"

You guys have been very effective at whittling away at my determination. Guess I'll be shelling out for another hard drive for the other machine and digging out my creeper. I just love the smell of drained oil...

Peace.While a freshman in High School, our English teacher asserted "Experience is the best teacher, right?" After individually grilling us one by one, most of us agreed with this truism. Then he sprang! "No, no, no... People die from experience! Besides, it's time consuming! Far better to learn from the experience of OTHERS".

Much time has passed. And then you the "Chosen One" appear. Let us know how it goes.
Move Current Hard Drive to a New Windows XP SystemQuote from: dahlarbear on May 28, 2008, 12:58:14 PM

Far better to learn from the experience of others".

Otto von Bismarck (I think) said that.
Quote from: dahlarbear on May 28, 2008, 12:58:14 PM

Much time has passed. And then you the "Chosen One" appear. Let us know how it goes.
Move Current Hard Drive to a New Windows XP System

dahlarbear - U R Da Man!

I should have known better than to give up with out a fight... ElderGeek! I can't believe I missed that one! I'm reading through all the fine print... gonna give it a try. Looks pretty straight forward and painless - no oil on my Snap-Ons!

Probably won't happen for a few days though... I gotta get everything backed up onto MyBook. I'm gonna take this slow. Probably shoot to do it over the weekend. I will post back with results... I AM THE CHOSEN ONE! I AM THE CHOSEN ONE!

(Excuse me Mcloud, but will I be need'n me sword fer this one?)

Thanx man!Quote from: BC_Programmer on May 27, 2008, 04:08:54 AM

I was assuming our friend here wasn't naughty.

I'm pretty naughty myself why, my XP install has "naughty" written all over it...I'm definitely going to *censored* when i die...

Solve : Switching Hard Drives Between Different Computers?

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