Laptop hard drives.

[zacburgess]

hi

I have a old laptop sata hard drive that as got a copy of windows 7 and some data that I want.
What is the best way that I can connect it via sata inside my desktop. As I want to use it as my os hard drive.

Also can I use the copy of windows 7 from the laptop in the desktop or does it need a new install.

cheers

[elootos]

(04-29-2011 09:46 PM)zacburgess Wrote:  hi

I have a old laptop sata hard drive that as got a copy of windows 7 and some data that I want.
What is the best way that I can connect it via sata inside my desktop. As I want to use it as my os hard drive.

Also can I use the copy of windows 7 from the laptop in the desktop or does it need a new install.

cheers

Just hook it up as a normal drive. The only difference between laptop and desktop drives is the size.

As for Windows7, you may get away with it. It'll boot up and say it needs repairing and try and sort itself out, but there's no guarantee it'll work.

Otherwise try and use the laptop's repair discs to reimage the original Win7 install. Of course you'll loose all info on the drive.

[zacburgess]

(04-30-2011 09:39 AM)elootos Wrote:  

(04-29-2011 09:46 PM)zacburgess Wrote:  hi

I have a old laptop sata hard drive that as got a copy of windows 7 and some data that I want.
What is the best way that I can connect it via sata inside my desktop. As I want to use it as my os hard drive.

Also can I use the copy of windows 7 from the laptop in the desktop or does it need a new install.

cheers

Just hook it up as a normal drive. The only difference between laptop and desktop drives is the size.

As for Windows7, you may get away with it. It'll boot up and say it needs repairing and try and sort itself out, but there's no guarantee it'll work.

Otherwise try and use the laptop's repair discs to reimage the original Win7 install. Of course you'll loose all info on the drive.

hi elootos

I hooked the laptop hard drive to my desktop and booted into the desktop os (vista) I then copyed all the data accross.
I then shut it down and took out the vista hard drive, and tried just the laptop drive. which it running windows7. It come up with this.

   
We lefted it over night and still no different.

any ideas?? or do you think a new install of windows 7 is better.

I dont want vista on the desktop any more. its doing my head in.

[elootos]

Hmmmm. If you wanted to try and keep the data on the drive then try booting again with all your hardware unplugged (expansion cards, USB etc) then if it does boot you can plug it back in again.

Or maybe try safe mode (F8) when booting.

Otherwise as a final resort, use the restore disc that came with the laptop and hope that works. No guarantee though.

[zacburgess]

(05-18-2011 09:54 PM)elootos Wrote:  Hmmmm. If you wanted to try and keep the data on the drive then try booting again with all your hardware unplugged (expansion cards, USB etc) then if it does boot you can plug it back in again.

Or maybe try safe mode (F8) when booting.

Otherwise as a final resort, use the restore disc that came with the laptop and hope that works. No guarantee though.

yeah we have backed up all the date via usb.

going to try the safe mode today and just leave it. anyone no how long about it takes for a drive about 320gb.

Dont have a restore disc but I found this. Ei.cfg Removal Utility which sounds like if I have the product key I can make one of theses discs and do a new install of win7.

[elootos]

(05-21-2011 12:35 PM)zacburgess Wrote:  

(05-18-2011 09:54 PM)elootos Wrote:  Hmmmm. If you wanted to try and keep the data on the drive then try booting again with all your hardware unplugged (expansion cards, USB etc) then if it does boot you can plug it back in again.

Or maybe try safe mode (F8) when booting.

Otherwise as a final resort, use the restore disc that came with the laptop and hope that works. No guarantee though.

yeah we have backed up all the date via usb.

going to try the safe mode today and just leave it. anyone no how long about it takes for a drive about 320gb.

Dont have a restore disc but I found this. Ei.cfg Removal Utility which sounds like if I have the product key I can make one of theses discs and do a new install of win7.

Yeah the version removal tool sounds like it will do the job.

Although manufacturer installs don't tend to have an actual written-down key; more of an image of their installation for your hardware.