Stolen Computer Image

[Guest]

I was attacked in a foreign country and my computer stolen just over a week
ago; I've returned to the US for 'repairs'. I have an image of the disk of
the stolen computer; the image is 3 weeks old. Is there any way that I can
make a fully functioning restoration of that disk to an identical hardware
platform?

 

[Malke]

I was attacked in a foreign country and my computer stolen just over a week
ago; I've returned to the US for 'repairs'. I have an image of the disk of
the stolen computer; the image is 3 weeks old. Is there any way that I can
make a fully functioning restoration of that disk to an identical hardware
platform?

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Of course you can apply that
image to a new hard drive. You'll need to have a working computer, of
course. Just install whatever program in which you created the image
(Acronis? Ghost? BootIT NG?) and make your boot disk. Then boot the new
computer with the boot disk and restore the image from whatever media it
is on.


Malke

 

[R. McCarty]

What imaging program was used ? - It really shouldn't matter, if you
get a comparable machine from the same vendor. At the most, the
recovered image may need to load a few drivers on 1st boot and
you may have to manually activate XP over the phone. About the
only "Brick Wall" would be if the new/replacement PC uses a different
Mass Storage controller chip from the original. In that case you'd
have to restore the image then run an XP repair install.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I was attacked in a foreign country and my computer stolen just over a
week ago; I've returned to the US for 'repairs'. I have an image of
the disk of the stolen computer; the image is 3 weeks old. Is there
any way that I can make a fully functioning restoration of that disk to
an identical hardware platform?

That depends on the third-party software creating and restoring that
particular image. Note beyond the technical aspect that your license has
been stolen as well as the hardware and therefore, you may not restore
and run that Windows installation anyway.

 

[BR549]

I was attacked in a foreign country and my computer stolen just over a week
ago; I've returned to the US for 'repairs'. I have an image of the disk
of
the stolen computer; the image is 3 weeks old. Is there any way that I
can
make a fully functioning restoration of that disk to an identical hardware
platform?

I've read the comments of Malke, McCarthy and Detlev and basically think it
might work, but. And the but is if the person that stole it is using it and
you restore that same image to an identical pc, I wonder how that is any
different that someone building 2 identical pc's and just installing XP
using the same Product Key. Interesting scenario but I don't know the
answer.

 

[R. McCarty]

One other thing, with Identity theft you did file a police report ?
The value of the computer is insignificant against any personal type
data that might be on the computer. First thing I'd do is change all
your on-line passwords and notify your credit card companies of
the theft, so they can monitor your accounts for unusual activity.

 

[Ghostrider]

I've read the comments of Malke, McCarthy and Detlev and basically think it
might work, but. And the but is if the person that stole it is using it and
you restore that same image to an identical pc, I wonder how that is any
different that someone building 2 identical pc's and just installing XP
using the same Product Key. Interesting scenario but I don't know the
answer.

The new laptop probably has its own OEM version of Windows XP, as a
replacement to the one that was stolen. It should be possible to update
the Product Key to this new one with the KeyUpdateTool.exe from MS.

 

[Isaac Hunt]

I'm guessing it was a laptop although you don't say?
You can try & get hold of the same model, in a store if it's a current model
or on ebay or other site dealing in 2nd hand refurbished laptops.
Just install your image to the new machine using whichever software you
used.

 

[Isaac Hunt]

I've read the comments of Malke, McCarthy and Detlev and basically think
it might work, but. And the but is if the person that stole it is using
it and you restore that same image to an identical pc, I wonder how that
is any different that someone building 2 identical pc's and just
installing XP using the same Product Key. Interesting scenario but I
don't know the answer.

Getting their version of XP activated is the least of their problems if the
disc on the laptop (assuming it's a laptop) isn't protected in some way, ie
with encryption.
If all that matters is activating windows, just do a phone activation, but
i'd be more worried about identity theft if someone had access to a laptop
with all my emails, accounts etc on it.

 

[Isaac Hunt]

The new laptop probably has its own OEM version of Windows XP, as a
replacement to the one that was stolen. It should be possible to update
the Product Key to this new one with the KeyUpdateTool.exe from MS.

I don't understand.
If the new replacement laptop for the stolen one comes with XP why would you
need to mess about with product keys?
The new laptop will come with one.
If they've been sensible & encrypted the hard disk on the laptop with a good
passphrase, or taken similar measures to secure the data on the stolen
laptop I wouldn't even worry about it.
Just get a new one with the insurance & reinstall data from backups.

 

[Guest]

You have all been most helpful; the system was a laptop on which there is a
great deal of expensive legitimate SW, and SW development items by yours
truly. Based on the review of your responses, I will try buying the same
computer and restoring the image.

The original computer was password locked and all personal data was password
locked and encrypted. I have, nonetheless, already treated all sensitive
accounts.

As to the crime...the guys who did this probably had no earthly idea what
they had or what to do with it (this all happened on St. Maarten, NA). The
car (stolen) used in the attack, was found by a family that owned the repair
yard where the car and contents were dumped. Everything, documents, credit
cards, a watch, and misc memory devices -- SD and USB flash sticks -- were
simply casually and messily thrown about. The only things taken were the
computer cell phone, camera, and some music CDs.

 

[Malke]

You have all been most helpful; the system was a laptop on which there is a
great deal of expensive legitimate SW, and SW development items by yours
truly. Based on the review of your responses, I will try buying the same
computer and restoring the image.

The original computer was password locked and all personal data was password
locked and encrypted. I have, nonetheless, already treated all sensitive
accounts.

As to the crime...the guys who did this probably had no earthly idea what
they had or what to do with it (this all happened on St. Maarten, NA). The
car (stolen) used in the attack, was found by a family that owned the repair
yard where the car and contents were dumped. Everything, documents, credit
cards, a watch, and misc memory devices -- SD and USB flash sticks -- were
simply casually and messily thrown about. The only things taken were the
computer cell phone, camera, and some music CDs.

Well, I'm glad to hear that you are all right. It must have been a
horrible experience but none of the things taken are worth your life.
Let us know if you need any help with restoring the image later.


Malke

 

[Ghostrider]

I don't understand.
If the new replacement laptop for the stolen one comes with XP why would you
need to mess about with product keys?
The new laptop will come with one.
If they've been sensible & encrypted the hard disk on the laptop with a good
passphrase, or taken similar measures to secure the data on the stolen
laptop I wouldn't even worry about it.
Just get a new one with the insurance & reinstall data from backups.

....because the OP wants to copy the image file to the new laptop in order
to recover his backups. In the process, the XP on the laptop is going to
be over-written. In order to not uninstall the imaged version of XP and
re-install the new XP that came with the laptop, it would be far simpler
to change the product key and re-activate this way.

 

[Isaac Hunt]

...because the OP wants to copy the image file to the new laptop in order
to recover his backups. In the process, the XP on the laptop is going to
be over-written. In order to not uninstall the imaged version of XP and
re-install the new XP that came with the laptop, it would be far simpler
to change the product key and re-activate this way.

Sorry I still don't get it.
They are restoring an image to a machine of identical hardware, so they
won't have to reactivate.
The original code will be used.
The XP included on the new laptop will just not be used.