XP Pro Install questions

[Guest]

Hi

I've just bought a new computer (minus hard drives) after my previous one
failed. I'm trying to install the hard drive containing XP Pro from my
previous machine, but it hangs on boot-up, even in safe mode.

What options do I have for recovering my previous installation (i.e. not
losing existing programs and files)?

I've tried using the install CD but the only option available seems to be to
do a clean install, which I imagine will delete everything.

If that's my only choice, does anyone know how I can access my previous
desktop from another drive to retrieve some files from there (when I've tried
to do this previously I've found the desktop locked if you don't access from
the boot drive).

Thanks
John

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| Hi
|
| I've just bought a new computer (minus hard drives) after my previous one
| failed. I'm trying to install the hard drive containing XP Pro from my
| previous machine, but it hangs on boot-up, even in safe mode.
|
| What options do I have for recovering my previous installation (i.e. not
| losing existing programs and files)?
|
| I've tried using the install CD but the only option available seems to be to
| do a clean install, which I imagine will delete everything.
|
| If that's my only choice, does anyone know how I can access my previous
| desktop from another drive to retrieve some files from there (when I've tried
| to do this previously I've found the desktop locked if you don't access from
| the boot drive).
|
| Thanks
| John

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

Hi

I've just bought a new computer (minus hard drives) after my
previous one failed. I'm trying to install the hard drive
containing XP Pro from my previous machine, but it hangs on
boot-up, even in safe mode.

What options do I have for recovering my previous
installation (i.e. not losing existing programs and files)?

I've tried using the install CD but the only option
available seems to be to do a clean install, which I imagine
will delete everything.

If that's my only choice, does anyone know how I can access
my previous desktop from another drive to retrieve some
files from there (when I've tried to do this previously I've
found the desktop locked if you don't access from the boot
drive).

Thanks
John

If you're not able to do a repair installation you'll probably
need the procedure outlined here to recover your files:

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

"Access is Denied" Error Message When You Try to Open a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you
must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an
account that has Administrative rights to have access to the
Security tab. To start in Safe Mode, reboot your computer and
start tapping the F8 key as soon as you see anything displayed
on the screen. Keep hitting F8 until the Advanced Startup
Options menu appears. Use the up and down arrow keys on your
keyboard to select Safe Mode. Hit Enter.

Good luck

Nepatsfan