[quirky292]

hi

i have a problem booting on a scond hdd

i originally got the second hdd from a dell 3100c. its a 80gb western digital sata. windows xp has now decided it wants registering and i tried but wont work (this is a full purchased copy)
i decided to put the hdd in my pc using the sata ports and i booted it up using my normal hdd (samsung hdd sata 320gb) and it found the second hdd (D. i restarted my pc and went to boot setup (f12) and pressed the wd hdd. i asked if i wanted to boot normally or safe mode. i selected safe mode and my pc restarted and did nothing. i did this same step but selecting normal mode and it didnt work.

i have even unplugged my samsung hdd (orignal hdd) and still have had no luck with it.

what i am trying to do is restore the hdd which wont happen in the dell on my other pc but having no luck with it.

is there any other options?

thanks

[Callum_Dawson]

Check "msconfig" using your Primary HDD's OS. There is a "Boot" tab that might help you.

[TheOutcaste]

You can't take a drive from one system and boot with it on a different system unless the hardware is nearly identical, as it won't have the proper drivers.

Originally Posted by quirky292

what i am trying to do is restore the hdd which wont happen in the dell on my other pc but having no luck with it.

Perhaps you can clarify what you mean by "which wont happen in the dell on my other pc"
Why won't it happen and what exactly is it?
Is the Dell also "my other pc", or is this "my other pc" a third PC?

[quirky292]

sorry about the mis understanding. i have tried a system restore on the dell and it wont work (in safe mode). so i took the hdd and put it in my pc and it wont boot.

[TheOutcaste]

If System Restore does work, moving the drive to a different PC, even if it would boot, won't have any effect.

If I'm reading this right:

Originally Posted by quirky292

windows xp has now decided it wants registering and i tried but wont work (this is a full purchased copy)

Windows is saying it must be activated, but for some reason you can't activate Windows?

A Major Brand OEM system like a Dell shouldn't need to be activated, unless a re-install was done from a non Dell disk.
What happens when you try to activate? Are there any error messages?
If so, the complete text of the message would be helpful, or a description of exactly what happens.

Also provide the following:
Version of XP - Home, Pro, Media Center
What Service pack is installed? (Right click My Computer and click Properties)

Did someone upgrade the original OS on this system?
Did someone re-install from a disk not provided by Dell?

What version of Internet Explorer is installed, 6, 7, or 8? (Even if you don't use it)
(In IE, click Help | About Internet Explorer)

[quirky292]

when i try to activate it says no local network connectivity, even though its all plugged in and my laptop is using the internet.
XP Home
Service pack2
no upgrade has been done on the os
yes the system has had a complete format and reinstall using a purcahsed copy of windows xp service pack 2