Thread: Virus or failing new hard drive...

toss it and install ubuntu or the like linux (unless of course you must have a microsoft dependent program running).

Umm, hang on a minute. Now I'm confused

I thought you were trying to put a new drive into your old laptop??

Originally Posted by Feral

Dec '07 - New Desktop computer but used old Hard Drive and was forced into full format and new install. This was most likely due to the old desktop would not bios read the drive as 40gb so it was limited to 32gb.

The old system will have limited the hard drive size because of the block size required and the maximum number of blocks allowed under its BIOS. All the drive will have been used but the previous format would have allocated a certain number of sectors per block. You have not said what the disk format was, i.e. FAT, FAT32, NTFS, ... Each will use a different number of sectors per block.

Originally Posted by Feral

All I wanted to do was to place my old drive into the new desktop and it should have worked. It didn't.. The drive would hang on the bios.

The old system drivers would not match the new hardware configuration so the old system would be unlikely to work. Some drivers are initialised at boot. I assume you attempted to boot into dos mode, etc.

Originally Posted by Feral

I used an old drive to see if it was the computer but it read that perfectly, so I put it down to the 32gb read/40gb actual hard drive conflict.

So far I see no evidence of a conflict except what I have noted above.

Originally Posted by Feral

I REPAIRED XP Pro twice and it was not reponding after installing setup files. So I was forced into a full format and install.

The issue is not with MS XP Pro being corrupted and therefore needing repair. This may be to do with the disk format??

Originally Posted by Feral

Microsoft has told me that the program is for one install only. When I explained to him that 'How can that be right when I received full activation rights from you with my current setup'...I was told ...ummm....aahh....not sure why ....but its one install only'

Sorry but in this instance I have to agree with them. You have said that you have it installed on a laptop and now you want it on a desktop computer too.

Originally Posted by Feral

What do I do now.....

By now the probable answer is likely to be coming clear.

Oh, sorry. Yes, it appears that I have caused some confusion by linking to separate problems together

But it is becoming obvious that I have discovered a loophole in Microsoft's Xp Pro system which allowed me to install one program/product key onto two separate computers.


And I want to maintain the exploitation

Originally Posted by Feral

Yeah right...what the hell did I do wrong?


Just a bit of background...Xp Pro installed on Desktop - Feb '07. Xp Pro installed on Laptop Nov '07. Re-installed Xp Pro on Laptop Dec '07. All completed and activated with no problems at all.

Dec '07 - New Desktop computer but used old Hard Drive and was forced into full format and new install. This was most likely due to the old desktop would not bios read the drive as 40gb so it was limited to 32gb.

All I wanted to do was to place my old drive into the new desktop and it should have worked. It didn't.. The drive would hang on the bios. I used an old drive to see if it was the computer but it read that perfectly, so I put it down to the 32gb read/40gb actual hard drive conflict. I REPAIRED XP Pro twice and it was not reponding after installing setup files. So I was forced into a full format and install.

Microsoft has told me that the program is for one install only. When I explained to him that 'How can that be right when I received full activation rights from you with my current setup'...I was told ...ummm....aahh....not sure why ....but its one install only'


What do I do now.....

If you are using XP PRO on both systems there shouldn't be any hassles with activation etc, just ignore the message.
You should only get the "register in 30 days" message with XP home.
(Or maybe it's just the version of PRO I use?)

Do you have TWO licenses one for your desktop and one for your laptop?

AHHHHHHH I have re-read your post it seems you got a NEW computer and re-installed your existing XP-pro onto the NEW computer.
MS is correct here you only license the software to use on ONE system and it is not, (legally) transferable to another system even if you own both systems and no longer use the original system.
It can be and is done but 'letter of the law stuff' it shouldn't be.

What you could try is call them back tell them it's for the original system, (not the new one) and that the HDD just died and can you get a new code.

If they query it tell them you got sick of trying to get the new system to work so you are going back to the old one. They won't ask though.
The one install thing is rubbish what they should have said was it is for one SYSTEM

Yes, it has been a little exercise in futility

I can understand that it is one program/one install and Micro$oft are quite right to do what they do.

BUT......my problem is that I have to buy a new program which I am willing to do. The problem is that Microsoft which has a captive market have given Vista as the only option. If you read the specifications of Vista you are looking at 1mhz processor, 1gb Ram and 32mb Video as pretty well the minimum.

The system that I am building is for the 'Outlaws' and is spec'd to 800mhz, 320mb and 32mb. According to 'Whirlpool' I have no chance of running Vista.

All the "Outlaws' want to do is basically type a letter or two and run low spec games like Solitare!!! Why should I have to purchase a new computer just to get the specifications higher to run a Microsoft OS.

Microsoft have removed from retail sale Windows XP Home/Pro editions and cannot be bought from anywhere. The only way to get these editions is to buy a OEM new system.....we do not want to do this.

Imagine the outcry if you shattered your MY2003 LR headlight or need a new ECU...sorry Sir, we don't supply these and you will have to update to the 2008 model.

Not quite the perfect analogy but I think as a consumer I am being forced into buying a new system when there is no need.

Shouldn't this be in the rant's section

PM sent.

Cheers
Simon

Originally Posted by Feral

Oh, sorry. Yes, it appears that I have caused some confusion by linking to separate problems together

But it is becoming obvious that I have discovered a loophole in Microsoft's Xp Pro system which allowed me to install one program/product key onto two separate computers.


And I want to maintain the exploitation

It's always been possible. I just don't understand how you got them both activated.
At installation Windows does some maths on the CD serial No.+ CPU SNo. + Videocard S No. + Network NAT and a couple of other things, and then sends that "hashed number" as your activation code. Sort of, in easy English.
It will allow I think 2 or 3 item changes before it just plain says no.
By putting your hard disk into a brand new machine you outraged Windows mate. It got indignant at being "pirated".

I might be able to help. If Simon's offer of help doesn't work PM me.

You are right Vista on an 800 would be a pig and with 32mb or RAM it wouldn't run at all.

Is the 32mb the video card size instead of the RAM/memory?

Either way forget vista and on an 800 XP will be a bit slow.
I would probably check out ebay for an unregistered copy of windows 2000 or even Windows 98, 2k or 98 will only cost you a few bucks and will be OK for what you need it for and no registration is needed.

OR get a PC mag with a free copy of UBUNTU on it and install that, quick and easy install. It will do all your outlaws need.