Boot Issue

[r2016]

Ok, here is my issue. My computer just recently got into a situation where it was booting in a loop; it would start the windows xp screen, then go into a reboot; it would do this endlessly. The computer was old, but the HDD was fairly new, so I decided to buy a refurbished computer and load my files into that. I bought a usb external kit, to hookup the old HDD; when I set it to boot off of the usb, it would boot the same way, in a loop. I was thinking that it was the motherboard that was the issue, but I guess it is the HDD. Now if I plug in the HDD into my usb while booting off of the HDD that is in the computer I get "local disk F"; I cannot explore this disk, it gives me an error. I also get "new volume G"; I can explore this disk, but I can't find any of the windows registry files and it looks like most of the files on the disk are missing. The hard drive was partitioned, with the recovery files on the other partition. What I am looking to do is replace the boot files if I can. I don't have a recovery dvd. Can anyone assist? Thanks

 

[rclarke250]

hmmm. Well, not going to have much luck without a windows xp disk. What you should have done, before buying anything, or moving the drive from the original computer was try a repair install from a windows xp disk. You can still try this on the "new" computer, but you need to take it out of the external usb enclosure and install it internally. Ask a friend or co-worker if they have an old windows xp disk lying around to see if you can repair the windows on your computer (has to be the same version as your key). Also, unless the refurbished computer was the same motherboard as the old computer, windows xp wasn't going to boot anyways if the chipsets were different, it would, umm, loop. because the drivers would be different. I take it F is the hidden partition that has the recovery partition. Why didn't you try a recovery before yanking out the hdd? why didn't you get a utility disk like ultimate boot disk and run some diagnostics? Since you now have a working computer, it would be easier and faster to just pull your data off the usb drive, and put it on the new computer, format the usb drive, and use it as a backup drive.

 

[goombawaho]

I think you need to forget about repairing/recovering what you had. Best bet is to use the hard drive without your old O.S/data on it (the new hard drive) and borrow a CD (as suggested). Then load windows on that hard drive mounted INSIDE the new PC. {I wasn't clear whether windows was installed propery on the new drive or not.} Then attach the old hard drive to the new computer via usb and get your data off of it.

Use a key code finder program to get any codes that you might need for software re-installation. If you have no media for those - ouch.

Classic case of taking bold action before developing a plan. Not that I haven't done that before. Most likely, neither hard drive nor motherboard was the problem and it was a corrupted windows install or malware. It's advisable to get your data off that old drive ASAP and then test the drive with the manufacturer's tool to verify it's okay for future use.

 

[r2016]

The reason I never bothered to do a repair of windows is because the only thing that I find myself needing from this old HDD is the Microsoft office license key. The computer is my dad's and I have been doing backups of all of his files, which I successfully transferred onto the new computer; the only thing I forgot about was copying down his MS office license key. The computer is old, I think the power supply is on it's last leg, the fans are weak, and the heat-sink is coming off of the CPU cooling fins. I usually advocate for throwing computers away after there useful life has past; in this case I thought I was ready to do that, but one thing got overlooked.

 

[goombawaho]

Well, you should pat yourself on the back because most people have no backup to save their butts. So, I salute you.

 

[rclarke250]

And like Goombawaho said, there are programs that can get those keys back for you. Here is a good article about programs to help you do just that. Of the ones listed, I've used Belarc,Magical jellybean,and produkey. The good thing about produkey, is it can find keys from a remote loaded registry, which is what you want.

 

[goombawaho]

Yes, I use that myself (produkey) although I thought we weren't supposed to mention those products.

 

[rclarke250]

Slap my hand and sit me in the corner.