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Computer help forum: Cloned hard drive won't work in another pc

by: Treker May 11, 2006 2:46 PM PDT

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Cloned hard drive won't work in another pc

by Treker - 5/11/06 2:46 PM

I wanted to change machines in my family and cloned my hubby's hard drive and tried to put it in a new machine that was already running Win XP Prof. It started configuring, I put the drivers in with the CD that came with the motherboard and it won't boot up. I can get it into safe mode, but that's all. Any idea why. The new machine is an MSI k8mm-v with an AMD Cpu in it. The cloned drive is from a p4 cpu - there should be no problem here.


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Sure there is

by rquesada - 5/11/06 3:03 PM

In Reply to: Cloned hard drive won't work in another pc by Treker

Windows is designed to break when doing something like this. It's part of the activation system, designed to cut down on piracy (by annoying paying customers).

You're pretty well SOL on this one.


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Cloned hard drive

by Treker - 5/11/06 3:16 PM

In Reply to: Sure there is by rquesada

I had no idea of that! Really? That is a bummer. So if you want to use your exact programs and settings in a new machine, you can't? Any way to get around it? Calling Microsoft?


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XP is designed. . .

by Coryphaeus - 5/11/06 6:04 PM

In Reply to: Cloned hard drive by Treker

to work on one machine. Cloning a HD is equal to trying to install XP on another PC from the one CD. It'll fail.

There is software in XP called "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard", but that will only transfer files such as documents, favorites, etc. Programs installed on one machine must be reinstalled on another machine. After you install a new, store bought copy of XP. It's the nature of the beast to cut down on pirating and such. You can only install XP on one machine.

And please don't ask how to crack it, your post will be deleted.

Wayne

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Cloned hd

by Treker - 5/11/06 10:21 PM

In Reply to: XP is designed. . . by Coryphaeus

I wouldn't ask that. I'm just shocked that they do this. I change out my hard drives all the time and now I have to call MS everytime I want to do something like this sad This time I'm switching cause I need my other pc's faster cpu for dvd's and all my programs are on my big hd's. I bought the new pc on the advice of an "expert" and did NOT get what I needed. Turns out, my hubby has a faster cpu than the "supposed" 64-bit Sempron that was supposed to fly! Yeah right. Anyway, thanks for your info.


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The lockdown began in 1995.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/12/06 5:41 AM

In Reply to: Cloned hd by Treker

A new Windows appeared with a new feature called the registry. While purported to herald many benefits it is also used to thwart copying of installed software. Which could be a great thing if you are a publisher. For the end user the answer is simply...

1. Install the OS.
2. Install your applications.
3. Restore your files.

After a decade it's amazing that people keep trying to copy drives and stick them in other machines. (a lot of work!)

Bob


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Cloned hd reply

by Treker - 5/12/06 7:43 AM

In Reply to: The lockdown began in 1995. by R. Proffitt Moderator

happy I'm either not understanding you or my idea of simple and hard are totally opposite of yours. To me, popping out a hd and putting it in another machine is simple, but reinstalling an OS, installing all programs and restoring all files is "work". Am I missing something there?


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You didn't miss much.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/12/06 7:53 AM

In Reply to: Cloned hd reply by Treker

The "copy, move a drive" is not working since the OS and applications are now designed to lock onto the original machine.

This was done, not to help you copy and move but to stop blatent and easy copying of the OS and applications. There are (too) numerous instances where such a move almost worked and the owner calls for support.

For me, installing the Microsoft OS and applications is something fairly easy now. But then again I've had too much practice.

-> In your case, if this is an issue have you considered another OS that doesn't have this limitation?

Bob


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Time consuming, but easy.

by chuckieu - 5/12/06 2:15 PM

In Reply to: You didn't miss much. by R. Proffitt Moderator

The only way to use the same programs on different machines is to install them. That's why I burn all programs I use to disc (the ones I don't have a separate disc of) after downloading. In fact, I always install from disc to make sure the burn was good before deleting program from download area. I update as new versions become available. Hope this helps. chuck


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