Move laptop XPHome HDD to another laptop?
Discussion
I managed to empty most of a glass of wine into my laptop last weekend whilst it was on, the thing shut itself down within about 20 seconds of this as i was dashing for paper towels. Tried to fire it up last night, a few lights come on then go off and nothing happens. I guess it's pretty hosed.
I've accepted the cost of repairs and/or replacement may be significant but the most important bit is the data on the hard disk, some of which is irreplaceable. It's not just data, it's some installed applications that i need too and that's where the problems start. Getting data off is one thing but trying to keep the entire hard disk and operating system transfered 'as is' sounds messy.
It's running XP Home, it's just me on it but i do have a logon password. I have ordered an adapter for the hard disk so that i can plug it up to my desktop and copy as much of it across as I can before anything else happens.
1. Can i transfer this hard disk to another laptop? Will it 'just work' and i can continue using it as if nothing had happened albeit with a few new drivers being installed. I heard XP is a bit funny about this, would it help if i transferred the hard disk to a new laptop of the same make, model and spec? Perhaps there's some sort of XP-aware image tool i could use to copy the entire system?
2. Can anyone recommend a good place to get repairs done or an estimate at least? I have found www.laptopsrepair.co.uk/ who look half decent but i can't find much info on them.
I'm pretty handy with computers so any advice will be appreceiated.
Thanks for your help,
Ben
I've accepted the cost of repairs and/or replacement may be significant but the most important bit is the data on the hard disk, some of which is irreplaceable. It's not just data, it's some installed applications that i need too and that's where the problems start. Getting data off is one thing but trying to keep the entire hard disk and operating system transfered 'as is' sounds messy.
It's running XP Home, it's just me on it but i do have a logon password. I have ordered an adapter for the hard disk so that i can plug it up to my desktop and copy as much of it across as I can before anything else happens.
1. Can i transfer this hard disk to another laptop? Will it 'just work' and i can continue using it as if nothing had happened albeit with a few new drivers being installed. I heard XP is a bit funny about this, would it help if i transferred the hard disk to a new laptop of the same make, model and spec? Perhaps there's some sort of XP-aware image tool i could use to copy the entire system?
2. Can anyone recommend a good place to get repairs done or an estimate at least? I have found www.laptopsrepair.co.uk/ who look half decent but i can't find much info on them.
I'm pretty handy with computers so any advice will be appreceiated.
Thanks for your help,
Ben
Doh! Am getting so obsessed with my hard disk swapping wheeze that I forgot the essentials! 
Dell Inspiron 510m
Was plugged in at the time with a battery in too, watching a DVD.
I've given it a few days to dry but i shall give it a few more while a wait for my hard disk adapter to show up.
Cheers,
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Thursday 7th October 12:10
Dell Inspiron 510m
Was plugged in at the time with a battery in too, watching a DVD.
I've given it a few days to dry but i shall give it a few more while a wait for my hard disk adapter to show up.
Cheers,
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Thursday 7th October 12:10
Even if you transfer the hdd to an identical laptop model, there could be problems since some software relies on hardware components serial numbers.
Win XP will at least require you to reactivate it (minor issue); but applications running with locked licences will look out for a certain MAC address of your network adapter, which won't be the same as before. Do you run anything special on that machine?
BTW, did you encrypt the filesystem?
Win XP will at least require you to reactivate it (minor issue); but applications running with locked licences will look out for a certain MAC address of your network adapter, which won't be the same as before. Do you run anything special on that machine?
BTW, did you encrypt the filesystem?
Bodo said:
applications running with locked licences will look out for a certain MAC address of your network adapter...Do you run anything special on that machine?
Nothing that's big or clever, just stuff that is non-trivial to re-acquire and install. If it's a licence locked to the network adapter MAC then I guess it's game-over, as if a new motherboard is required for the laptop then i guess it will get a new integrated network adapter too and hence new MAC anyway. (Assuming m/board is shorted, which seems commonplace in liquid 'incidents'
) Bodo said:I've not explicitly set it to do that but I don't know. It's still running the standard setup from Dell although I do have a user set up for me that requires a password in addition to the Admin user. How can I (or could have if it worked) tell? I assume it's something you would have to go out of your way to set up?
Did you encrypt the filesystem?
Cheers,
Ben
MAC Addresses can be replaced, serials can be replaced, software can be reinstalled.
Fundamentally, yes, you can just swop it over.
Worst case, and they are two different laptops, with different hardware (but a compatible 2.5" hdd socket, and a bios which will support the drive type / size) then you might just need to do a Repair / Upgrade install of Windows over the top.
ITs never a fun thing to have to do, but in certain circumstances, its the only viable option.
For those times you just need data off, you can simply plug the laptop hdd into a desktop and remove it.
As for EFS... there are still ways to recover this if you REALLY need it.
GL sorting it
Fundamentally, yes, you can just swop it over.
Worst case, and they are two different laptops, with different hardware (but a compatible 2.5" hdd socket, and a bios which will support the drive type / size) then you might just need to do a Repair / Upgrade install of Windows over the top.
ITs never a fun thing to have to do, but in certain circumstances, its the only viable option.
For those times you just need data off, you can simply plug the laptop hdd into a desktop and remove it.
As for EFS... there are still ways to recover this if you REALLY need it.
GL sorting it
Locked licences should not be a problem when you have a support contract for that software - just tell them the new MAC, and you'll get a new licence file.
Re encryption, this only could be an issue but doesn't have to. Perhaps some MS Windows bod can answer that question? Normally, I assume, everything should work fine, as long as you boot the o/s from the same drive, etc.
Re encryption, this only could be an issue but doesn't have to. Perhaps some MS Windows bod can answer that question? Normally, I assume, everything should work fine, as long as you boot the o/s from the same drive, etc.
Windows will probably throw a major fit when moved onto a new hard disk controller and refuse to boot up - be prepared to do a repair install if this is the case.
Ideally you'd put the generic IDE/ESDI controller drivers - and generic VGA drivers - back on before swapping the hard disk to another machine, but of course this isn't possible for you. (Unless you have access to another laptop of the same make+model?)
Either way you shouldn't lose data.. good luck
Ideally you'd put the generic IDE/ESDI controller drivers - and generic VGA drivers - back on before swapping the hard disk to another machine, but of course this isn't possible for you. (Unless you have access to another laptop of the same make+model?)
Either way you shouldn't lose data.. good luck
john_p said:
Windows will probably throw a major fit when moved onto a new hard disk controller and refuse to boot up - be prepared to do a repair install if this is the case.
not for IDE, as its all much of a muchness.
SCSI on the other hand would most likely end up Blue Screening on Inaccessable Boot Device.
trevorw said:
I'm not sure if it work, but some people with more knowledge may be able to help if you let them know the make and model of said laptop. It may work if you let it dry out for a couple of days in a warm but dry enviroment.
Important info like the type of wine might help
Seriously though I assume you have stripped the machine out of its case, mopped up any residue with expensive cotton buds (won't leave cotton in the machine) and left in a dry environment (more important than a warm one). I have had accidents involving many fluids and electrical appliances and have yet to lose one... Good luck with the rebuild if it comes to it.haven't tried it with a laptop, but for cleaning keyboards, mice, fill the bath with water and a little washing up liquid, put the keyboards in the bath for a couple of hours.
Then put them in a warm dry place for 12hrs, come up really shiney and work perfectly.
The problem may be you've shorted something.
NOTE: if you're considering attempting this, i would remove the hdd, battery and cd/dvd unit, not sure how the screen would react.
Note: I have never tried this with a laptop and so you do so at your own risk!
Then put them in a warm dry place for 12hrs, come up really shiney and work perfectly.
The problem may be you've shorted something.
NOTE: if you're considering attempting this, i would remove the hdd, battery and cd/dvd unit, not sure how the screen would react.
Note: I have never tried this with a laptop and so you do so at your own risk!
JamieBeeston said:
not for IDE, as its all much of a muchness.
Ever tried it?
I have and it wasn't pretty
Most motherboards load their own specific drivers - moving to another motherboard will cause Windows to crash on bootup - hence you need to put the Generic IDE/ESDI drivers back on
You might be lucky and it'd work if the motherboards were similar, but I doubt it very much.
This link has some good info
http://65.24.134.81/KipSolutions/MovingXPNewMotherboard/MovingXP.htm
Cheers everyone! Lots of good ideas there. Step 1 is getting as much data off as i can before attempting laptop recovery so shall have a crack when my drive adapter arrives.
Will let you know how I fare! Suspect that i shall just buy a replacement of the same model and swap the HDD in and hope for the best. Repair might cost as much as isn't the most expensive laptop in the world (relatively speaking
)
Ben
Will let you know how I fare! Suspect that i shall just buy a replacement of the same model and swap the HDD in and hope for the best. Repair might cost as much as isn't the most expensive laptop in the world (relatively speaking
) Ben
Status Update: I bought the laptop HDD adapter for my desktop, plugged in the laptop HDD and used Norton Ghost to take an image of it (handily you can also extract individual files from the image including those ones which security wouldn't let me touch when they were in the My Documents folder). I then sent the laptop off to laptopsrepair.co.uk where i seem to have encountered some pretty shoddy service.
They sent round a courier with a foam box soon enough but the website then claims that they will "give an estimate in 2-3 days, often less". It took over a week. It also claims "we will keep you informed at every step. We do not expect you to chase us". They have never contacted me other than on the initial confirmation with a job number. I have had to chase them almost every day - and usually to find that they had done nothing.
Eventually got a quote for a new motherboard and keyboard at £525 + VAT. I have decided to buy a replacement laptop of the same make and model instead of getting the dmaaged one repaired and transfer as much of the remaining working hardware over to it e.g. the DVD-RW drive etc... The marginal cost difference is worth it for peace of mind.
The next challenge is currently proving to be getting it back off these chimps. Total time the laptop has spent there is over two weeks and they have done very little in that time.
Anyway, thanks for all your help and suggestions. I shall let you know if i can resurrect the image (or ideally swap the old HDD in) successfully.
Cheers,
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Thursday 4th November 14:20
They sent round a courier with a foam box soon enough but the website then claims that they will "give an estimate in 2-3 days, often less". It took over a week. It also claims "we will keep you informed at every step. We do not expect you to chase us". They have never contacted me other than on the initial confirmation with a job number. I have had to chase them almost every day - and usually to find that they had done nothing.
Eventually got a quote for a new motherboard and keyboard at £525 + VAT. I have decided to buy a replacement laptop of the same make and model instead of getting the dmaaged one repaired and transfer as much of the remaining working hardware over to it e.g. the DVD-RW drive etc... The marginal cost difference is worth it for peace of mind.
The next challenge is currently proving to be getting it back off these chimps. Total time the laptop has spent there is over two weeks and they have done very little in that time.
Anyway, thanks for all your help and suggestions. I shall let you know if i can resurrect the image (or ideally swap the old HDD in) successfully.
Cheers,
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Thursday 4th November 14:20
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