just buy a new copy of W2K, or try to transfer?

[Ernest Burden III]

My older computer has recently developed some serious problems. It was always 100% stable before. I will try to re-seat all the chips today, but I think it's really a failing hard-drive (about three years old, computer on almost all of the time). I use this computer to drive my printers and as a backup for tasks a 1G Athlon can still handle.

 

But if I get a new HD I have the issue of the OS. The computer was purchased new (Polywell) with NT4 on it, and I had upgraded it to W2K. Assuming I can even still find the original NT4 and W2K upgrade CDs (of which I am not sure) what are my chances of a trouble-free re-install or somehow getting the current OS to transfer to another drive? Perhaps I would be better of just buying a new copy of W2K?

[Greg Hess]

Ernest,

 

You could use a program like norton ghost to clone the old hd to the new one.

 

http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/ghost_personal/

 

Then you wouldn't have to worry about porting issues or reinstall procedures.

 

Of course reformatting a new drive and going with a fresh install always has the byproduct of giving a very nice performance boost.

 

can still handle.

[Ernest Burden III]

You could use a program like norton ghost to clone the old hd to the new one.

Thank you, Greg, I will look into that. What worries me is that I am working on the idea that my HD is failing fast. So how would I avoid copying corrupted OS files, anyway?

 

I will also look at the cost of a new copy of the OS, plus the cost of a new bare-bones box (or low-end Boxx) to swap the hardware into.

[Greg Hess]

Ernest,

 

Ghost allows you to identically mirror one drive to another...basically a flawless copy like a RAID 1 array.

 

The new drive will act exactly like the old one in terms of installs and os.

 

Ghost just allows you to backup images of your drive and/or mirror a dying drive onto a new one.

 

It doesn't work if...

 

1) The new drive is going to a new machine.

2) The old drive can't be read by the bios.

3) Your trying to repair corrupted OS files.

[Ernest Burden III]

Ghost just allows you to backup images of your drive and/or mirror a dying drive onto a new one.

It doesn't work if...

3) Your trying to repair corrupted OS files.

It looks like I'm at (3). The machine can't even recognize its own profile anymore. It's been sliding away for a week or so, and I've been too busy to stop and take care of it.

 

I'll buy a new drive and hope to get my existing copy of W2k (from the 'upgrade' CD) onto it. If it's going to take all day to find the original NT4 disc, then fight to get W2K to go over it on a new HD then get the SP to overlay on that, I'm better off buying a fresh copy and not wasting time.

 

Thanks, Greg, as always!

[bigcahunak]

I'm almost sure that your W2K upgrade is a full installation CD as well, but I might be wrong. Just check it before you run out buying a new one.

Even if it aint a full install. You payed for a W2K seat for that machine already, right? So, why pay again for it? You pay for the SN you get from MS and not the CD. Contact MS support, and ask for a replacement CD - explain that you have your Serail Number.

I mean, the warning on the left is right, and I'm 100% with it. But this is a little too much. Hell, would you buy MAX again assuming you lost the CD and HDD and whatever else?

If I were you, I'd just ask a W2K installation CD from someone who has it, and install it with my legal number. Just bypass the BS and install whats rightfully and legally is yours from the first place.

Even more than that Ernest - email me your address and I'll mail you a copy of my W2K installation CD. BTW: I even saw such a recomendation from a MS support guy in a forum in the past. This is 100% LEGAL!

[Ernest Burden III]

I'm almost sure that your W2K upgrade is a full installation CD as well, but I might be wrong. Just check it before you run out buying a new one.

I think you are right. The disc I may not have is the original NT4 one. I have the W2K upgrade CD. I'm thinking it needs the original NT4 disc, or its serial number?

 

But the issue I'm looking at is time--the upgrade CD plus the hassles with getting it up to 2003 standards, vs. a fresh disc.

 

I agree completely that I have a right to re-use it on the same computer, and thank you none-the-less for the supportive post. Lately I'm trying to pay attention to where my time goes, and fussing around with computers is not a billable activity, so doing so will cost me my rate. Can I afford to hire myself for semi-competent computer tech work?

[Ernest Burden III]

The disc I may not have is the original NT4 one. I have the W2K upgrade CD. I'm thinking it needs the original NT4 disc, or its serial number?

OK, I cannot find the old NT4 disc, but the Microsoft site says W95 and W98 are valid for an upgrade, and I think I have those CDs from a previous and long dead computer, so I could do a clean install on a new HD and use one of those for it's 'previous version' media check instead of NT4. Sounds good, anyway.

 

 

Thanks all for your help!