Am I correct in thinking that my executable programs won't work even if I take out the old hard drive and install it in a dock? I assume that the ID being different, would prevent them from booting.
My pc went down, and I only backed up my data in an ext HD.

I probably will have to do it the hard way again.

Hi Bernie

Unless it was a hardware failure that trashed the hard drive you can use a repair disc (Vista and Windows 7) to repair most problems with the OS. (The repair files will also run from the original Windows DVD)

If you have XP, start from the Windows install disc (Assuming it runs the same service pack) and you can re-install the OS without losing any of your programs. (Just make sure you choose the repair option)

If your computer went down without damaging the HDD, and you have just bought a new computer to replace it, you can install the HDD in your new computer and set it as the boot drive then after a few re-starts to load the new drivers, everything should be up and running. (You will need to re-activate Windows with Microsoft; however it is painless and uses a Freephone number, full instructions will appear on-screen when you select the activation option)

You cannot run an OS from a USB 2 dock, however if it is an eSATA or USB 3 dock then you can.

Hope this helps

Bill

Hi Bill
Thanks for the reply. My situation is this:

My old Win7 started developing boot problems. At one point a sreen came up and ask me if I wanted to try and repair the problems. After a few boot attempts, it came up for a time or two. It got to the point it wouldn't even try and boot up.

I got a used Win7 desktop that was refurbished from Ebay(Optiplex 745 Dell). It seems to work very well for light everyday chores.

The problem is there are some music programs that I can't find the source and/or code. One in particular is my Universal XT Style Conversion program. It simply refuses to recognize my codes, but works well in my old machine.

My hard drive is fine as far as I know, and held off on taking my old drive out and getting a docking station if all it would do is act like an exterior HD, and not run my old programs. he old pc is a four year old Dell Inspiron.

Hi Bernie

It sounds like your old HDD is on its last legs, and is why you keep getting the repair option and sometimes not booting.

Option 1:

Install your old drive into your new computer then go into the BIOS and set it to boot from that HDD to see if it will repair itself and get you going. If it does you can copy over your system OS to the new drive, (NOTE: this will overwrite any existing OS on the new drive) a free program to do this can be found here http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html.

Option 2:

Install your new drive in the old computer and see if it will boot, if so you can try your codes again as they may be tied to the hardware in your old computer.

Option 3:

Contact the developers of the program and explain what has happened, and they should supply you with some new codes. (This will depend on the EULA that came with the software)

Hope this helps

Bill

Hi Bill

Many thanks for your help. I have a much clearer picture of my options.

Bernie

May I throw in option 4 which is

1. clone your old hard disc (if necessary telling your clone program to ignore errore) onto a new one
2. install the new one in your pc
3. run repair on the new disc

I use the free EASEUS disk clone package, you create a bootable CD and use that to manage the clone operation. http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/home-edition/

Bernie,

Have you not got a copy of Microsoft Outlook, Office, Access,Excel and Powerpoint on your Audya, it does everything else... Hey and all the PC brains in the UK, nice one John good idea have you used this pocess.

Tony

Bernie,

I build myself a new PC apprx every two years, I use it for business, so I get a new HD every two years so less like I will have a problem, this PC is about 7 mths old, Intel i7 8GB ram 64 bit OS, I don't run clever graphics so it cost me about £450.00 to build, with new case, mem, DVD, MB with graphics and sound OB etc. I always backup onto an external HD in a caddy.

I always buy a new copy of MS OEM version, you can use an old on two or three times before it bombs out, this time went to 64bit had to change a lot of my software ... hope you get fixed up.

Hows the Audya, we never hear from you about it, do you still drag it around and play for the old folks??

Tony

Hi Tony

I have gotten a lot of good advise from you techies. Now, I am seeing what I really need. I had many programs on the old pc that I thought I needed, only to find that most haven't been used in a year or more. You know what they say about clothes in your closet; same thing. I suspect that I wouldn't have had the melt down if I had far fewer programs on there. It got so it would take forever to fully load, even with paring down the start menu. Now, if were more adept in computer matters, I would fix it out of principal.

My Audya is fantastic(not awesome), and with the Ajamsonic upgrade, it is even better. I don't crow about it only because I avoid pissing contests. I know what I know, and what others do is just fine.

Thanks for asking.

Bernie

Bernie no reason not to shout it from the rooftops about your Audya....don't let the naysayers diminish your excitement....enjoy what YOU like and make great music!