Windows XP Pro OEM and changing your HD

Discussion in 'Software' started by Mathematix, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    Hi all

    Just checking really. Last week my 200GB Seagate Barracuda HD refused to write to a region that was critical to the OS. All measures like repairing and OS reinstall attempts have failed with unrecoverable read/write errors. Essentially 12GB just vanished!

    I've purchased a new HD, and given that I build my own PCs I have the OEM version of Windows XP Pro. My concern is that I hope that M$ will not moan about licensing because I have changed the HD. Does anyone know what is likely to happen? Am I fretting for no reason?

    Cheers! :)
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  2. twizzle

    twizzle Gigabyte Poster

    1,842
    43
    104
    What might happen is that when you go to activate it after the re-install it will tell you its been activated too many times already. If that happens just give MS a ring and say its not an OEM or that all you've done is change the hard drive due to it crashing. They should just give you a new code to use and it will get activated that way.

    Its what happened to me last hardware update.
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+, N+, MS 70-271, 70-272
    WIP: Being a BILB,
  3. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

    6,624
    117
    224
    If this is *just* a change of harddrive then it may not even query, but just activate.

    Even if it does query it you will be given an 0800 number to ring, as twizzle says. Just tell the M$ guy that the HD failed and you get a code to activate the machine.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  4. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    Yep, simple as that. :)
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  5. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

    6,281
    85
    174
    should be no problem with MS. I swopped a motherboard with XP home OEM a few weeks ago - they just gave a new code.

    As for drive repairs, Spinrite has recovered 2 seperate lots of data for me. Well worth the $89. :thumbleft
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  6. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

    8,878
    181
    256
    Did you try a CHKDSK /R ?

    That works sometimes :)
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  7. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    Thanks guys. I was bracing myself to fork out for another license. I'll let you know how it goes when my new HD arrives.

    Boyce: Cheers, mate. I might invest in that! :)

    Bluerince: Yeah, tried every trick whilst in the recovery console, including chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, yada, but gkept getting unrecoverable disk errors. Even an OS repair and clean install refused because of the same.
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  8. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

    8,878
    181
    256
    Oh okay! - if you tell us what you have tried, it will help to not make us second guess the situation :wink:
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  9. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    Something is gravely wrong with my PC. Currently using the backup one at home.

    After buying a shiny new HD a similar problem still exists. When attempting an installation I get the error message: oembios.bin cannot be copied, and sometimes after repreated retries it goes to the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen and the STOP: 0x0000000A blue screen also! Not good.

    Have tried all possible things (removing hardware, testing, repeat), but nothing works.

    Taking it to the PC Clinic at PC World to see if my motherboard has died. :(
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  10. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364
    Did you rebuild with a Windows XP cd or have you used a vendor CD with XP included?

    If you are booting from vendor CD you may need to load drivers etc. before installing XP.

    Edit: are you using the CD that came with the PC? After a quick google it looks like that file relates to the BIOS which prevents the cd being used on another PC.
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  11. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    It's my own build for which I purchased a WinXP generic OEM disk.

    Been looking over the internet as well recently, and it appears to be either an issue with BIOS updates or bad memory. Hopefully I'll have it sorted soon. :cry:
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  12. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364

    Weird, have you tried flashing the BIOS to the latest version and then reinstalled?

    If you have installed XP yourself (the first time you built the PC) then Im surprised that you are getting this error.

    If its bad memory can you take some RAM (obviously this depends on what you already have) out and install again as a test?
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  13. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    I haven't done the bios update I must admit. Will let PC World take it from here now. Losing my marbles a little and still want a fast PC at the end of it all. ;)
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  14. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

    3,120
    51
    154

    Welcome to the exciting and sometimes frustrating world of IT, don't worry rest assured we'd all been there at one point in time. It would all work out and you'd become a better troubleshooter on both counts:D
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  15. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364
    I thought you built the PC yourself? :blink

    Thought PC only worked on PCs bought from them....
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  16. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    You wouldn't believe how reassuring that is! Cheers, mate. :)
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  17. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    Yeah, it's my own build. PC World will work on any PC if you pay them. :deal
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  18. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    I take it back. Been hearing too many horror stories regarding the PC World PC clinic from IT mates. It has even been made clear to me that I know more than they do when it comes to building and repairing PCs, so cancelling the appointment and doing my own investigations.

    Thanks guys. :biggrin
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  19. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

    969
    35
    74
    Well, did my own investigation and it turn out to be a faulty RAM stick! Glad that bit is over - XP recovered my data from a partial reinstallation as well! :eek: Another lesson learned.

    Now my problem is with this recovery, XP is misbehaving like installing my graphics card driver and the card not being recognised as installed, and my firewall and anti-virus not loading at startup.

    What I need to do now is to do a low-level wipe of the HD to make it appear new/raw at XP installation. Does anybody know of the best way to do this? :dry
     
    Certifications: BSc(Hons) Comp Sci, BCS Award of Merit
    WIP: Not doing certs. Computer geek.
  20. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

    8,878
    181
    256
    Just delete the partition during Windows setup and then format it, preferably not a quick format as that doesn't actually check the disk for errors.
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.