I have recently purchased a 160GB IDE Hard Disk that has XP pre-installed.
My problem seems to be be that after finding the hard disk as 'IDE hard Disk' on the first screen it leads to the O/S Choice screen' (Safe Mode, SM with CMD Prompt, Last Known Good Config, Start Win Normally), and when I choose Last Known good config it leads to a black screen, and if I choose start windows normally it completely freezes!
Any ideas?
2007-09-04 09:20:28 · 6 answers · asked by militaryaircontrol 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
By pre-installed i'm guessing you bought it off of someone who had windows installed on it already. That won't work.
The windows install is different for every computer and unless your hardware was exactly the same as the computer that hard drive came out of, you will have to re-install windows.
2007-09-04 09:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by Shwaa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the configuration of the computer that windows was "Pre-Installed" on is different than your own (different chipset, processor, video driver, motherboard, etc.) Then you will see this type of behavior as Windows is trying to run drivers for hardware that doesn't exist or is incompatible with what it is being told to run.
This way of moving Windows from computer to computer also violates Microsoft's license policy unless you are using a retail copy of the XP as opposed to an OEM or "Preinstalled" copy.
You can use the Windows XP disc, boot to it, and do a "repair" - however it's going to require you have matching serial numbers to the installation, and then you will be required to activate it once you are online.
Your best bet is to wipe out the drive and start over with a clean installation of XP - using numbers that belong to the computer you have, or using retail numbers.
Best of luck.
2007-09-04 16:28:06 · answer #2 · answered by AaronGillum 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
XP may have been loaded for a different computer than the one you are attempting to boot the disk on. If that is the case, it is having problems detecting the strange hardware. You will likely have to re-install XP.
2007-09-04 16:23:47 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try booting into Safe mode. That'll load only basic drivers that will work for any hardware. After you boot, Windows will detect the new hardware and install the drivers.
2007-09-04 16:25:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
windows Xp preinstalled? that means it has drivers for someone elses PC so your probely getting a hardware or driver conflict. try try safe mode and run the harware wizard to find all the new hardware and install it
2007-09-04 16:29:03 · answer #5 · answered by Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. First make sure the 160 GB drive is set as Master (MA jumper on the back). Then set your boot order in BIOS. Try 'Safe mode' if this doesn't work and reboot. Good luck!
2007-09-04 16:25:26 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋