Hard Drive Crashed - Need to reload Software

zenmaster

I don't think all Windows installation disks work with all serial numbers. I'm pretty sure that I tried a reinstall a couple of years back and, though it was a legit installation disk and license number, it kept telling me it was the wrong disk.

imho

zenmaster,What did you have to do ?
I am posting a copy of Xp to AWOL. I would think if you call or email Microsoft they will let you use it,he has already bought a copy of XP before,and its the same computer its going on to .

imho

AWOL,email your address,i have copied it now.Its in a envelope ready to post.I have a post box at the end of my road,i will pop up there and post it tonight if you get back to me .

AWOL_2

Thanks, i have emailed my address and i will report back on how i have got on with it.

will try my laptop serial number first and see what happens. (soley for research purpose) ha.

I have looked into migration software which looks like a good alternative. They copy the whole of one hard drive on to another.
The problem i have is that i have a laptop 2.5" hard drive that i need to copy to a 3.5" desktop hard drive. However after abit of digging a round i have found the following product which lets u use laptop hard drives in standard desktops. Smart or what.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Laptop-2-5-to-IDE-3-5-Hard-Drive-Adapter_W0QQitemZ280061809242QQihZ018QQcategoryZ31531QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

therefore migrate all the laptop hard drive, operating software included onto my new WD desktop harddrive.

Hopefully fingers crossed i wont need to, if i get a copy of XP and my serial numbers let me use someone elses copied disk. (touch wood)

Thanks again imho.

imho

Good luck,can you let me know how you got on ?
I have bought my self a external hard drive now ,i learned my lesson,when my Motherboard blew up.I now have a great Dell computer.
One good thing i did,was copy all my programs on to a disc ,using Nero.So with my new computer,all i had to do was put in the back up disc of my programs,and install them again .

AWOL_2

Thanks again.
I wish i had been smart and did that!

Guess we only learn after we get our fingers burnt!

(or do we) ! ha

imho

Last message now. I copied all my hard disc to new one using this program

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/downloads/2166317/paragon-drive-copy-personal

I tried with Acronis 8 that i bought ,and couldnt do it,but paragon did it,and it was so easy to use.