HD transplant

[usmhuskie]

I have an old computer that is just about to die. Problem is we use that computer to run one small task with a application called AXxess 202. All it does is keep track of when employees unlock doors in the building with their pass card. I have a new system I can use for this task, but I can not find that software anywhere. I would like to just pop the HD out of the old system and add to the new system but what is the best way to transfer all my drivers and REG keys from the old system and implant into the new system? Is there a quick, easy way to just transfer everything I need from the old computer into the new computer and then just move the HD?
I should note that the older system is Windows 2000 and the newer system is XP.

 

[BadBigBen]

Contact the manufacturer and if you have a valid license, I am sure that they will help you out...

Here is the website:

AXxess 202

http://www.maxxesssystems.com/axxess_202.html

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[usmhuskie]

There is the rub. This application was added to the old system about 6 years ago, which is 5 years before I started working here. There must be a way that I can just transplant the HD.

 

[vacunita]

You can just install the HD into the new system, making sure you set its jumpers to slave before doing so. This should let you view the drive in the XP system as an additional drive letter.

Whether or not the app will run depends on exactly how it is installed. If it made any changes to the registry or not.

You can try to use regedit, to find any keys that may refer to the app by using the search option and looking for Axxess or a similar string.

When you find anything export the reg tree into a file, and the import it into your new systems registry. Then try to run the application.




----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[wahnula]

Any reason why you cannot use the Win2K OS that's already on the HDD? I've had better luck just popping Win2K HDDs into other systems, the success rate is much higher than the zero I get with XP. If you have the Win2K disc you could do a repair install after the move if necessary.

Another option would be a solution like Laplink's PC Mover. Worth a shot too.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[usmhuskie]

I have no problem using Win2K but wouldn't there be issues with operations using the new motherboard.

 

[wolluf]

What I would do is clone this hard drive to another (so you have a backup). Put the clone in the new machine as Tony suggests. If it boots - all well and good, though you'll probably have to find drivers for it. If it doesn't - do the repair reinstall as Tony suggests:-

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292175&Product=win2000

If you can get it running, but can't find drivers, you could always upgrade it to XP (2k to XP upgrades usually ok) - but if there are XP drivers, probably 2k ones too (XP ones may work in 2k).

 

[usmhuskie]

I think I am confusing you guys. I do not want to add the old HD to a newer computer as a secondary HD. I want to remove the HD from the newer computer and add the old HD to it. I have concerns about the compatatblity with the new motherboard. The drivers should still be on the HD that I transplant, but will there be issues with my BIOS or registry settings, or drivers????

 

[Freestone]

If your concern is porting the old 2000 OS and apps to a new motherboard, you may want to look into Acronis True Image Echo Workstation with its Universal Restore option. I've had very good success migrating workstations from various hardware platforms with these two products.

http://www.acronis.com/smb/

 

[wolluf]

usmhuskie - what I suggested will do exactly what you want. Basically put a copy of the old drive (so you still have original in case of problems) in the new machine. See if it will boot. If it will, just need to load the drivers for graphics etc. If it won't, do a repair reinstall. I've not used Freestone's suggestion, but have never failed to port a 2k installation using repair. It is possible 2k may have issues with new mobo - but I doubt it. New machine may be short of IDE connectors, so may need to clone to a SATA drive (and set the bios to use IDE or compatibility mode so it appears as IDE drive).

 

[vacunita]

In that case, Wolluf pretty much outlined the steps that need to be taken.

You'll have worry about Driver's. Once you do the repait install Win 2k should boot at the very least in VGA mode. from there you'll need update the video, sounds, and MB drivers so it knows what to do with the new hardware.

Registry Settings should be unaffected. And the BIOS doesn't really care what you boot into as long as it can find something to boot. So no problems there either.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[wahnula]

One of my favorite OSes is Win 2K. They will, however, stop official support in 2009 I believe, meaning no more security patches. Win XP will be good until 2016. I also have never failed to repair-install a Win2K HDD into another PC, many times it will work without it. It's the last generation of "flexible" OSes from M$.

Tony

Users helping Users...