Just switched HD from computers - Windows XP won't start 2

[Lucodu]

I just switched the hard drives on two computers (one is IDE 40 GB, and the other is also 40 GB). Both HD have Windows XP installed on it.

1) When I booted my HP computer after I installed the HD, the only thing that appeared on the screen was the underscore cursor at the top left of the screen, nothing else.

2) On my Clone computer, a screen first appeared where it asked for Windows to start normally, or on safe mode and a couple of other options. Regardless what I choose, Windows Xp won't start.

I have no clue what to do next. Any ideas?

 

[xit]

unless your computers are almost identical chances are you will not be able to do this switch, or do it easily, as your hard drives were set up to the computers with different drivers and chipsets.

xit

 

[Lucodu]

that's what i'm being told on another tech forum... so then all is left for me to do is swap the HD back?

 

[vacunita]

You can try to run a Re-pair install on the drives to make windows get back up, but you'll likely need to reactivate Windows once you do. Not to mention finding drivers for all the "new" hardware your Windows installation was previously unaware of. Once this is done of course, you will have the same problem if you try to put the drive back in its original machine, as it would now be set for the other machin3e's hardware.

So basically what you are attempting to do is not possible, without mucking around with the OS installations.

Yes returning the drives to their respective machines should let you boot back up normally.

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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.

 

[Lucodu]

Thank you for clarifying the situation with my HD's; I will attempt to switch them back right away!

 

[Lucodu]

Attempt successful. Everything is back in order and working well. Thank you for the much needed support!