Keeping old hard drive, fitting new motherboard/CPU?? Possible?

[helimutt]

A quickish question for you knowledgable types. I built my present PC but now i'm getting a beep code on start up of 1 long-1short beep then it shuts down. It doesn't even get to the point of firing up the video side of things. Not sure what this means as I can't find that particular code anywhere for my BIOS but 9.C and/or 9.F comes up on the LED display in the case. (Phoenix/Award) Now I have seen an upgrade motherboard/CPU/Graphics card and RAM bundle quite cheap and think i'd like to fit it but can I keep my present Hard Drive as it has all my photos, documents, programs and software on it. What i'd like to do is just fit the new equipment in my present case leaving the Hard Drive in place, but what, if any problems do I need to look out for?

Thanks.

[Saab Dastard]

The problem is that the current installation of the OS (I'm assuming Windows) will have the drivers for the particular mobo chipset and graphics card you currently have.

If you simply plug the drive into the new mobo it won't work properly - if at all - until you install the correct drivers.

It might be possible to start the system and load the correct drivers, but it just as likely won't.

Now if you have the correct installation CD / DVD for your OS, you may be able to "repair" the installation and load the correct drivers, but this is not guaranteed, and can be further complicated by the original CD / DVD being a lower Service Pack version than the installed version of Windows.

The simplest approach would be to get a new hard disk - preferably a bigger, faster SATA disk - and install your existing as a second / slave (apparently we aren't supposed to say slave anymore - PC gone mad) disk. However, you will have to re-install your applications, although your data would remain untouched.

Whatever your approach, ensure that you have a full backup before you start. If you can't backup the disk, don't use it.

An alternative is to find out what your current problem is and see if you can fix it. It might be a relatively simple fix - faulty RAM, unseated RAM or card, etc.

SD

[helimutt]

To be honest, i'd love to be able to get the pc up and running so i could backup all my files etc. (photos of my son from birth to present 3rd birthday for example) It could be a ram problem I guess as I recently tried some new RAM for an upgrade but I got the same fault came up. But, I replaced original RAM and all was ok again. Went to turn PC on today and it didnt want to play. Any ideas?
PSU? Motherboard problem? Is there any way I can just get my info off the HD and maybe just go for all new again?

[Keef]

If you start with an all-new PC complete with operating system, you can connect your old drive as a "slave" (pah! to PCness) drive D, and read stuff off it.

Personally, I wouldn't try to start a new PC with an old hard drive. That way lie many hours of chasing bugs, and never really finding all of them.

If you still have the install disks (or activation codes) for the software you have installed on the ailing machine, you can reinstall on the new one.

[amanoffewwords]

We occasionally do the old HDD to new PC trick - always works as long as you're not going from IDE to SATA or vice-versa as the PC will not boot (or if you're on WIN2k). If it's IDE to IDE it will boot 99% of the time and give you the opportunity of installing the chipset, lan, audio, graphics etc drivers which I would suggest you download from the PC manufacturer beforehand.

The long/short beep you describe might be a cpu or case fan issue (not connected, not working properly or missing from under the hard-disk as in the case of some Dell PCs).

If you prefer to start from scratch get yourself an IDE/SATA to USB converter so you can offload the data you need - see Plexus USB to IDE & SATA Adapter With Power Adapter (Supports 2.5" / 3.5" IDE & Serial ATA Hard Disk) - Ebuyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136214) for an example.

[helimutt]

Well I still have the windows disk etc as I actually bought a legit copy. So, I basically buy everything new, install it in my case, and after all is up and running, just add my present HD as a secondary drive from which I can basically access all my info?

Sounds so simple!! ....!:hmm:

Off to strip my PC bit by bit to see if I can get it to start up with different things disconnected.

Why do I never back anything up? I'll buy a stand alone hard drive to backup to I think.

[helimutt]

amanoffewwords, will that device just let my HD act as say a USB memory stick from which I could download all my files to, say, another PC for instance. I think that's what it does but want to be correct before I buy one.

[green granite]

Phoenix 4.0 Release 6.0 BIOS Post Codes:

02 Verify real mode
03 Disable non-maskable interrupt (NMI)
04 Get CPU type
06 Initialize system hardware
07 Disable shadow and execute code from the ROM
08 Initialize chipset with initial POST values
09 Set IN POST flag
0A Initialize CPU registers
0B Enable CPU cache
0C Initialize caches to initial POST values
0E Initialize I/O component
0F Initialize the local bus IDE
10 initialize power management
11 Load alternate registers with initial POST values
12 Restore CPU control word during warm boot
13 Initialize PCI bus mastering devices
14 Initialize keyboard controller
16 BIOS ROM checksum
17 Initialize cache before memory autosize
18 8254 programmable interrupt timer initialization
1A 8237 DMA controller initialization
1C Reset programmable interrupt controller
20 Test DRAM refresh
22 Test 8742 keyboard controller
24 Set ES segment register to 4GB
26 Enable gate A20 line
28 Autosize DRAM
29 Initialize POST memory manager
2A Clear 512KB base RAM
2C RAM failure on address line xxxx
2E RAM failure on data bits xxxx of low byte of memory bus
2F Enable cache before system BIOS shadow
30 RAM failure on data bits xxxx of high byte of memory bus
32 Test CPU bus clock frequency
33 Initialize Phoenix Dispatch Manager
36 Warm start shut down
38 Shadow system BIOS ROM
3A Autosize cache
3C Advanced configuration of chipset registers
3D Load alternate registers with CMOS values
41 Initialize extended memory for RomPilot
42 Initialize interrupt vectors
45 POST device initialization
46 Check ROM copyright notice
47 Initialize I20 support
48 Check video configuration against CMOS
49 Initialize PCI bus and devices
4A Initialize all video adapters in system
4B QuietBoot start (optional)
4C Shadow video BIOS ROM
4E Display BIOS copyright notice
4F Initialize MultiBoot
50 Display CPU type and speed
51 Initialize EISA board
52 Test keyboard
54 Set key click if enabled
55 Enable USB devices
58 Test for unexpected interrupts
59 Initialize POST display service
5A Display prompt "Press F2 to enter SETUP"
5B Disable CPU cache
5C Test RAM between 512KB and 640KB
60 Test extended memory
62 Test extended memory address lines
64 Jump to UserPatch1
66 Configure advanced cache registers
67 Initialize Multi Processor APIC
68 Enable external and CPU caches
69 Setup system management mode (SMM) area
6A Display external L2 cache size
6B Load custom defaults (optional)
6C Display shadow area message
6E Display possible high address for UMB recovery
70 Display error messages
72 Check for configuration errors
76 Check for keyboard errors
7C Set up hardware interrupt vectors
7D Initialize Intelligent System Monitoring
7E Initialize coprocessor if present
80 Disable onboard super I/O ports and IRQ's
81 Late POST device initialization
82 Detect and install external RS232 ports
83 Configure non-MCD IDE controllers
84 Detect and install external parallel ports
85 Initialize PC compatible PnP ISA devices
86 Reinitialize onboard I/O ports
87 Configure motherboard configurable devices (optional)
88 Initialize BIOS data area
89 Enable non-maskable interrupts (NMI's)
8A Initialize extended BIOS data area
8B Test and initialize PS/2 mouse
8C Initialize floppy controller
8F Determine number of ATA drives (optional)
90 Initialize hard disk controllers
91 Initialize local bus hard disk controllers
92 Jump to UserPatch2
93 Build MPTABLE for multi processor boards
95 Install CD ROM for boot
96 Clear huge ES segment register
97 Fixup multi processor table
98 Search for option ROM's
99 Check for SMART drive (optional)
9A Shadow option ROM's
9C Set up power management
9D Initialize security engine (optional)
9E Enable hardware interrupts
9F Determine number of ATA and SCSI drives
A0 Set time of day
A2 Check key lock
A4 Initialize typematic rate
A8 Erase F2 prompt
AA Scan for F2 key stroke
AC Enter setup
AE Clear boot flag
B0 Check for errors
B1 Inform RomPilot about the end of POST
B2 POST done - prepare to boot operating system
B4 One short beep
B5 Terminate QuietBoot (optional)
B6 Check password
B7 Initialize ACPI BIOS
B9 Prepare boot
BA Initialize DMI parameters
BB Initialize PnP option ROM's
BC Clear parity checkers
BD Display multiboot menu
BE Clear screen
BF Check virus and backup reminders
C0 Try to boot with interrupt 19
C1 Initialize POST Error Manager (PEM)
C2 Initialize error logging
C3 Initialize error display function
C4 Initialize system error handler
C5 PnP dual CMOS (optional)
C6 Initialize notebook docking (optional)
C7 Initialize notebook docking late
C8 Force check (optional)
C9 Extended checksum (optional)
CA Redirect Int 15h to enable remote keyboard
CB Redirect Int 13 to Memory Technologies Devices such as ROM, RAM, PCMCIA, and serial disk
CC Redirect Int 10h to enable remote serial video
CD Re-map I/O and memory for PCMCIA
CE Initialize digitizer and dispaly message
D2 Unknown interrupt
The following are for boot block in Flash ROM
E0 Initialize the chipset
E1 Initialize the bridge
E2 Initialize the CPU
E3 Initialize the system timer
E4 Initialize system I/O
E5 Check force recovery boot
E6 Checksum BIOS ROM
E7 Go to BIOS
E8 Set Huge Segment
E9 Initialize Multi Processor
EA Initialize OEM special code
EB initialize PIC and DMA
EC Initialize Memory type
ED Initialize Memory size
EE Shadow Boot Block
EF System memory test
F0 Initialize interrupt vectors
F1 Initialize Run Time Clock
F2 Initialize video
F3 Initialize System Management Menager
F4 Output one beep
F5 Clear Huge Segement
F6 Boot to mini DOS
F7 Boot to Full DOS

Ret

[helimutt]

Thanks for that Green Granite. Couldn't find that particular list before. Seemed to find every other one but none with the 9C or 9F codes on them. I guess I could have a Power Supply problem. Might check that first.

[Shunter]

There is NO situation (obscure raid configs aside) where you can't take a hard drive from one machine and put it into another and have it boot to desktop. Anyone who says different doesn't know what they're talking about. The only reason you'll not get to desktop is lack of storage controller drivers. There are 3 ways to do it:

1. Whilst the machine is up and running, prepare it for the move with the relevant drivers.
2. Throw the drive in the new machine, then run a repair install on it from the CD to add the storage drivers.
3. Boot the new machine from a Windows PE disc (google - universal boot CD for windows), then manually add the required drivers and tweak the registry hives on the hard disc as appropriate.

All the above require at least a moderate level of Windoze internals knowledge, but all are perfectly possible. If you don't have the inclination to get stuck in and make it happen, reformat and as Keef says, slave your old drive. If you do, google is your friend.

BTW. Windows sucks donkey balls, have you considered Linux? I used to begrudgingly assist my friends with their PC problems, these days I just tell them to buy a Mac and spend my spare time flying instead.

Cheers,
Shunter
Ashamed MCSE, MVP and former Microsoft trainer.

[amanoffewwords]

amanoffewwords, will that device just let my HD act as say a USB memory stick from which I could download all my files to, say, another PC for instance. I think that's what it does but want to be correct before I buy one.

yes, it will. As long as your HDD is IDE or SATA (and hasn't got a hardware fault).

[helimutt]

Shunter, I have considered Linux as an option for a while now but never gotten around to it. Maybe now is as good a time as any?

amanoffew, thanks for that.

[frostbite]

If you end up with a new box of tricks, an easy way to connect your old HD is

Amazon.co.uk: 3.5" HDD USB 2.0 EXTERNAL HARD DISK CASE ENCLOSURE: Electronics & Photo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/EXTERNAL-HARD-DISK-CASE-ENCLOSURE/dp/B000SIQNGY/ref=pd_cp_ce_2?pf_rd_p=136153791&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000PKIXMW&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1W20D0VZA452JX24G0EB)

£12.99, and the one I got works anyway.

[Shunter]

If one does have a bash with Linux, Ubuntu is probably a good choice for the novice.

There are certain things which are encumbered by patents and hence cannot legally be distributed with Linux (usually media codecs etc..), but Ubuntu has a huge community which has put together a number of 1-touch solutions to get everything you need downloaded and installed, patents or not.

Aside from that you've got the usual excellent web browser (firefox), email (thunderbird), openoffice, and you can run a lot of Windows apps using Wine if you need to. I have a little Asus netbook and use Wine to run iTunes to sync the iPhone. Works a treat.

[green granite]

And Gimp for a Photoshop lookalike

[mixture]

Shunter
Ashamed MCSE, MVP and former Microsoft trainer.

Anyone who says different doesn't know what they're talking about..


I'll give you one reason, and you should know better.

Licensing.

Yes it may be possible technically. But if you are running an OEM copy of Windows, you're not allowed to do it legally. That's probably part of the reason they make it so difficult ! :ugh:

However I do agree with you on this point ...

these days I just tell them to buy a Mac and spend my spare time flying instead.

:ok:


I'm not sure whether or not it is the case, but helimutt might also find that Microsoft define a new motherboard as being a new computer in the case of OEM software.

[helimutt]

I bought all of the components for my PC a couple of years back, including a nice shiny new copy of windows XP to install. I figured that's my copy to use as I see fit. I paid for it. It's only used on one PC.

Anyway, I have good news today. Just got back from Maplins, I bought a new uprated power supply. I lobbed it into the case. The Power supply that is. Plugged it all in and turned it on. It works! So it was a power problem.
Thanks for all of the info so far though. All stored away for future reference.
:D:D:ok:

[mixture]

including a nice shiny new copy of windows XP to install. I figured that's my copy to use as I see fit. I paid for it. It's only used on one PC.


If ... that copy is FPP (Fully Packaged Product) ... i.e. it came in a shrinkwrapped cardboard box, and the CD-ROM is not gold (I think XP FPP CDs had a solid blue label/print on the front)..... then yes, you are correct, it is yours to do with as you see fit as long as you only use it on one machine at any one time.

On the other hand if they bundled a gold OEM disk ....(which they shouldn't have without pre-installing for you).... then it's a different story.

Confusing I know..... but hey, it's Microsoft ! :E

[helimutt]

nope. fpp. all mine. bought separate. all legit like!!
:ok: