[mjbyyz]

I have transferred a Hard Drive into another computer and thought I had to re-install Windows (XP Home) - this I did.
In so doing I created another Folder - Windows2 - so as not to overwrite anything. I have a Windows folder as well.
I also still have a Windows98 Folder on this drive.
I cannot access the latest e-mails in the new configuration - or anything else for that matter - and know that I am going to have to reinstall all programs.
How and where do I find those missing e-mails, or can I uninstall this new version and revert to the old one?
This is a serious PANIC!
John - 060922-21:39EDT

Quote:
Originally Posted by usualsuspect
Hi There,

Let's try and fully understand what you did.

You transferred a drive and installed XP.

When you ran the installer did it not tell you that it had found an existing version of windows already installed and did you wish to repair it?

Now that you have installed to a different folder, do you get the option to select a different XP when you boot the computer up? If not, we can't revert.



Yes, you do. You've moved into a new house, everything is there but it's all over the place. I take it you have installed your mail agent but not told it where to get the mail from?



Depending on what mail agent you are using. If it is Outlook, then by default it puts it in:

C:\Documents and Settings\John\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

in the form of a PST. I'm no whizz but I'm pretty sure this does NOT include the account settings so you will still have to set them up. We really need to know what software and what mail service you are using (yahoo, aoHell, gmail etc) in order to get you up and running on this.

p.s. to be honest this is really the wrong forum - you don't have a hardware problem:

http://forums.techguy.org/21-windows-nt-2000-xp/

those guys are way more equipped to help


Yes, I did have the option to Repair, but thought a new install would solve all problems of starting up. It also stated that if I installed in the SAME folder, I would (perhaps?) overwrite various files and/or folders.
Yes, I am given the option of two locations (versions?) of WinXP (as well as 'fixboot' and 'y' and I don't know what this means exactly).
Of course, I should have backed up all/most of this drive before getting into this mess, but I thought all I had to do, when switching machines, was to let it figure out the 'new-to-the -hard-drive' hardware and reconfigure itself.
I have Search and Recover - is this the place to use this?
I have done a search and have only found e-mail files (*.dbx) in OLD folders called Windows98 that are still present on this HD. I now have multiple copies of these pre 2004 e-mails but nothing recent shows up, even after searching.
Yes, I should put this in the WinXP Forum (too).
(What is a 'PST'?) Thanks for your help so far.
John - 060923-08:38EDT

[ozrom1e]

You might have to remove the hard drive from this computer and install it in another computer as a slave drive and after it is able to be accessed by Windows on that computer you will have to manually backup all of your important data that you have to another media like CD-R's, DVD or Thumb drive. Then when this is done return it to the original computer as a master drive on the primary IDE cable and do the following:

Microsoft KB - How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310353

Basically what you are going to have to do is get you data from the old Windows part of the hard drive and burn it to a CD-R or DVD. Then do a fresh install and do a format of the hard drive thru the installation of Windows. You have a lot of work ahead for your self and I wish you the best.

[mjbyyz]

OK, I see what you are getting at here, but the only thing I have done so far is to put this HD in another computer and, since it wouldn't 'start', install a fresh copy of WinXP Home into another File/Folder.
If it is possible to uninstall that installation and return the HD to the original computer, would this work? THEN I could start over (and BU everything - something I SHOULD have done, no question) and do it right this time.
At what point could Search & Rescue help?
John - 060923-10:04EDT

[mjbyyz]

Quote - CRJDriver -
Ok, if you just want the email why not import the data file? If you are using outlook, it is a .pst file. You can use outlooks import / export feature to accomplish this task. You may have to take ownership of the file in order to do this.

If you use outlook express, you can copy the data file. I think it is a .dbx file, however I have not worked with outlook express in quite a while. End Quote from a closed thread.

Hi, CRJ: I tried this and after doing a search for *.dbx files, came up with some old ones from another Windows98 folder only.
Now I know what PST stands for, I shall try *.pst and see what I can find.
But right now, I have to go out for a bit - will be back again shortly.
John - 060923-13:24EDT

[mjbyyz]

[I am back!]
I just realized that PST is no good to me since it is Outlook and not Outlook Express anyways.
So I still cannot find those e-mails.
My burning question is, can I UNinstall Windows and revert to my old system/drive configuration?
Alternatively, can I use Search & Recover to return to what I had before?
John - 060923-19:04EDT

[mjbyyz]

Since this is where this is supposed to be, and I have several more minor problems to discuss and resolve -

Up date on this problem:
I returned the HD to its original computer and, soon after, GOT THE WHOLE DRIVE CONTENTS BACK AGAIN!

Now, if I am real daring, I could just try again - AFTER backing everything up. But tell me, WHY didn't the drive in the newer computer detect the new hardware? I do want to up-grade from the present Pent 3 to the waiting Pent 4 machine, somehow.

Question: HOW does one safely delete all editions of Windows except the current one? [Remember, I have Windows98, WINDOWS and WINDOWS2 folders on file, and I only need the 'WINDOWS' folder.]

John - 060929-[22:38EDT]23:37EDT

[Marakkar]

RE: Question: HOW does one safely delete all editions of Windows except the current one? [Remember, I have Windows98, WINDOWS and WINDOWS2 folders on file, and I only need the 'WINDOWS' folder.]

It is more or less at modifying boot config in boot.ini and eliminating other OS folder/partition and files. Read through: http://www.thpc.info/dual/removedualboot.html

[mjbyyz]

This will take some time to rread through, but thanks.
All my stuff is, probably foolishly, all on the same partition, and all these Windows Folders are thus on the same partition.
I'll see if I can get something to work anyways.
John - 060930-23:06EDT

[mjbyyz]

The contents of that site [http://www.thpc.info/dual/removedualboot.html] refer mostly to Dual Boot situations. This is not the case here. I have several old Windows Folders and wish to delete them - they are useless and taking up space. But can I do this safely? Does the current OS need anything in any of these files?
I am always concerned that either I will delete a file or two that is required or else leave some extra stuff behind that is still surplus. Uninstalling is far the best way of getting rid of things, but I don't have this option.
John - 060930-23:27EDT

[Marakkar]

I mistook your question for a multiboot situation. If you have earlier windows installations in different folders, I can say, you may delete them. Because, as windows always keep system related files in the current windows installation folder, in the root of thedrive, and in program files folder.

[mjbyyz]

Fair enough!
I will make a complete Acronis Back-up onto DVDs first - just in case - and then zap those other folders and hope!!!!
Finally we will have a good copy, but still on an inferior machine to the one I wish to have. Never mind, when I get brave - or learn how to do it properly - I shall try again to insert this HD in the newer machine.
Actually, according to MS, it is just a simple matter of doing a copy of Folders and Settings from one machine to another. [Yeah, right!]
Thanks for your advice.
John - 061001 - 19:37EDT