Main > Main Forum
Can I simply swap hard drives?
XyloSesame:
--- Quote from: Teebor on September 24, 2007, 10:34:10 am ---XP- Give it a go, often works out ok. but can be fixed by re-installing over the top usually so settings are kept intact
--- End quote ---
Oy, this sounds like a nightmare.
Install fresh on the new machine and use the old drive as additional data storage. Keep the OS on it's own drive. If you UG later, you should be able to install MAME and point it to the existing ROMS on your Data drive.
RE video, if you have the drivers, you should be able to install it in a new box - that's not to say it will work plug-and-play-like, but it should be do-able.
acro-ii:
You are.
Boot from XP CD with same service pack revision as is on your machine.
Go past the setup option to repair using recovery console.
It scans for the current os.
Then you get a repair option.
It works perfectly. That's how I fix 90% of the pcs that poeple bring into my office.
--- Quote from: Ed_McCarron on September 24, 2007, 10:59:50 am ---
--- Quote from: Teebor on September 24, 2007, 10:34:10 am ---XP- Give it a go, often works out ok. but can be fixed by re-installing over the top usually so settings are kept intact
--- End quote ---
Often? Unless the mobo has the same exact chipset, XP will crash upon boot. Real PITA. Don't think I've seen this work once without requiring a fresh install.
Please tell me I'm missing some simple step that makes life easier?
--- End quote ---
XyloSesame:
--- Quote from: acro-ii on September 24, 2007, 11:06:44 am ---You are.
Boot from XP CD with same service pack revision as is on your machine.
Go past the setup option to repair using recovery console.
It scans for the current os.
Then you get a repair option.
It works perfectly. That's how I fix 90% of the pcs that poeple bring into my office.
--- End quote ---
Hey, Acro, does this leave the registry and installed programs intact?
acro-ii:
100% yes!
;)
xmenxmen:
I have found computer advise here seems to be very limited....
As long as these system are all running ide drive and not raid controller of some sort, there's really no problem in porting it from one system to another. Worst case is that you will have to update all the drivers once the system comes up. I have done this so many time, it's not even funny anymore.
And in those case where you actually have a non support (by default xp) hard drive controller , then all you need is put the xp cd in there and have it added the drivers during the initial boot (F6), then perform a repair of the os.
Again, the basic home system is not that complex, so swapping between system and getting them to work is pretty much guarantee in xp with very low failure rate.
I say give it a go.
And if you do prefer to install fresh, all you have to do afterward is transfer your mame configuration to the same drive and directory layout and you should be up and running with minimal re-config.