move an OS?

[bladecx321]

I have this problem where my main hard drive keeps have a DMA/PIO mode error (this guide I made fixes it temporarily). Well, the disk keeps going into this mode, and at some point it's just going to stop working/burn up. I have XP and I really don't want to get Vista, nor buy XP again haha. So I was wondering if I could move my OS from my C drive to my new drive, F. Anything like this possible, or do I have to buy a new OS? By the way, I don't have the disks, but I may be able to obtain them from the previous owner.

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: move an OS?

My suggestion would be to take your c drive and mount it as a secondary drive and use your f drive as a primary drive then install Windows XP again from your installation disc. Once you it installed you can then reinstall the software from your old operating system and move any files from the documents and settings locations from the old install to the new install.

[bladecx321]

Re: move an OS?

with respect, as i mentioned in my first post, i dont have the disks, but might have a chance to obtain them lol

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: move an OS?

Well you will want to obtain them from the previous owner, not having the disc is very bad and should have been given to you when you bought the machine. As by not having them it's like not owning the operating system.

[Vreki]

Re: move an OS?

with respect, as i mentioned in my first post, i dont have the disks, but might have a chance to obtain them lol

You cant just copy the files from a system drive, the new copy wont be bootable.
I used Norton Ghost, which has a tool to duplicate a harddrive so the new drive is an exact copy of the old one.
I don't know if there is any freeware with similar functionality.

But you really should try to get the disks. sooner or later you will need them.

[Vreki]

Re: move an OS?

Have a look at this link:

http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

[bladecx321]

Re: move an OS?

ok cool Vreki thanks ill look into that.

Well, i got the comp for free from my dad's company, as they wanted me to help them in testing some software. i never had to give the comp back, as they had no use for it, so i took it apart and built a new computer. i used the old drive so that i wouldnt have to buy an OS. now, the drive is about 5 years old or so, and yea, its just getting old and sooner or later, its just gonna crash.

[Hawkers]

Re: move an OS?

http://www.xxclone.com/

I used this to copy everything on my HD to a new one.