Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 86026 2007-12-31 10:17:00 Existing HDD failed in use - help please ChrisW (13236) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
626117 2008-01-01 01:03:00 You could try booting off the recovery cd
Go to install again, but press R for recovery
Personally since this is a new install, I would look for a proper XP disc and re-install off that

Errrmmm. Just like to clarify. Do you mean proper as in not the OEM Windows Recovery discs I got with the laptop? :)
ChrisW (13236)
626118 2008-01-01 01:41:00 Errrmmm. Just like to clarify. Do you mean proper as in not the OEM Windows Recovery discs I got with the laptop? :)
Thats correct :)
Like I said, my only dealing with recovery discs are that once you change any hardware, they no longer work properly (in my case anyway)
Myth (110)
626119 2008-01-01 04:15:00 Recovery disks are usually just an image of the original setup. Reinstall Windows using a borrowed CD and your serial number on the COA stuck to your case.

Do the new drivers, install all your stuff then get an imaging program yourself, Ghost, Acronis, Paragon.
Make an image of the new setup and store it away. Just like your old one!!
pctek (84)
626120 2008-01-01 04:52:00 I have a 2.5" external USB drive case that I can install the brand new drive into. I have my partners laptop that I can access the internet with.

Is there a simple way for me to grab the required drivers for the hard drive - and does windows try to boot from C:\ drive only - or will the hard drive just boot from any boot file in any drive that may be assigned if it is the chosen boot device?
ChrisW (13236)
626121 2008-01-01 08:24:00 Drivers?
The HDD doesn't need drivers.

Put your new drive in the laptop.
Install Windows on it.

Download the drivers for motherboard chipset, LAN, sound, graphics etc, from another PC if bnecessary - and put them on a CD or something, then install your required drivers.
Then install whatever stuff you like on the PC.

Then you're done. Unless you want to make an image fo it for future use.

Windows is generally on C: by default but it will boot from whatever drive letter it has been installed on in the first place.
pctek (84)
626122 2008-01-01 09:32:00 Simple way, as said; locate an XP disc and re-install. Any XP Pro disc will do, just use the serial number you were given (the sticker should be on the underside of your laptop, or a manual you received) Myth (110)
626123 2008-01-01 14:46:00 Had similar problem with my com after a fresh instal of XP Home +SP2 that I'd partitioned with Norton partition manager.Com would hang after the bootup,screen would turn black with a white blinking cursor top left screen. Eventually I'd get a message saying "DISK BOOT ERROR. INSERT SYSTEM DISK & PRESS ENTER" Having done this & ignoring the prompt to "Push any key to boot from CD', my computer would open. Had to do this each time I turned com on. I noticed when com did its daily scan that a change had been made to the 'Partition table(MBR)' & to the 'Boot sector of disk (C). 4 some silly reason,when I added an unformated /raw slave HDD my com booted up & opened XP. voila! but stupid. What I did next was I deleted some of the partitions & left only the active C partition, & an extended partition with a logical drive for data in it. Now the com opens xp as it should. Strangely enough & I still get the changes showing up in the AVG scan.But my com's dumb,it only does what I tell it to do. good luck gza (13233)
626124 2008-01-10 10:33:00 Simple way, as said; locate an XP disc and re-install. Any XP Pro disc will do, just use the serial number you were given (the sticker should be on the underside of your laptop, or a manual you received)

I find this interesting because I've attempted to change VLK during install both by accident & deliberately. :p
It never worked for me :groan:
"How's the crac?", Paddy asked Paddy
;)
gza (13233)
626125 2008-01-10 17:37:00 I find this interesting because I've attempted to change VLK during install both by accident & deliberately. :p
It never worked for me :groan:
"How's the crac?", Paddy asked Paddy
;)Whats VLK?
And why would you change it?
Myth (110)
626126 2008-01-11 06:19:00 Volume License Key
www.microsoft.com
feersumendjinn (64)
1 2