I've been given a 10GB HDD with Win2000 on it, but no system disk. It came out of a damaged IBM box. How can I get this O.S. on this HDD to operate in another case? When I put it in my eMachines test computer it runs the splash screen but then I get a "stop" message saying the HDD may not be configured/terminated properly. I tried every jumper combination but nothing works. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, where in the registry is the product code located? Thanx

If you don't have a Windows 2000 CD, then you're pretty much out of luck as far as running that 2000 OS.

Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

Jennifer - I've been able to take a Win98 HDD out of one machine and run it in another. It simply reloads all the new system settings for the new machine. I was hoping to do this with this Win2000 HDD! (Where's the product code in the regisrty?)

sky42

First of all what you are asking is for help in using the OS illegally. Additionally, Win2000 is a different animal than Win98. You were fortunate with any drive transfers you did in the past, if you didn't need to provide an OS disk. That IS the norm. The message you are getting has nothing to do with the Win2000 installation. The drive isn't connected or jumpered correctly or isn't compatible with that system.

"If" you have a legal W2K CD then it can be done...

With dos/'9x things wuz a litle different... I frequently bounced one or two dos/'9x hard-disks around various (of my) PCs - i.e. onto different MoBo other than the one they were installed thru... (I had the relevant legal OS-CD...). Each time it/they worked just fine...; and this also applied to NT4 (usually part of a multi-boot environment) as well.

However with W2K (and XP) it ain't quite so straightforward - but can be done. M$-KB even publish a how to do it - but you need a legal copy of the OS-CD.

Esentially (when booting up) W2K will be looking for the original hardware set that was present when the OS was installed... Changing the Mobo (which is what happens when you transfer the drive) means that info is no longer correct; thus it won't recognise the associated hardware of the "new" MoBo and thus it won't boot. Various drivers etc. utilised during installation via the original MoBo will not likely be valid on this "new" MoBo (unless it's identical to the original) - the "new" board will have its own...

If you have a legal W2K CD... post back?

trvlr - I think you answered the question: W2000 won't reload to a new mobo. The HDD came out of a machine that had been irreparably damaged and there was no O.S. CD. I'll just wipe the disk and use it for other purposes. I'm not totally sold on Othehills' allegation that I'm doing something illegal inasmuch as I am not reproducing nor re-distributing the O.S. CD! I would like to see a licensing/user's agreement that says it is illegal to transfer the O.S. SW via HDD to multiple machines. The key issue here is that I AM NOT using the manufacture's CD in this process. Obviously, when you do an XP re-install, using their disk, you have to obtain an installation code from Micro$oft. Anyway, not to overdo this thing, if OtheHill is correct, I suspect 90% of computer tekkies worldwide should take a few seconds to ask Bill Gate's forgiveness, and then press on as usual. What say you, OtheHill?

I say what you do on your own is your business.
If you don't have a valid key that you are authorized to use then it is illegal to use that OS.
Reproducing the CD is not illegal. The installation key is the issue.
I was simply reiterating the policies of this forum that are at the top of the page when you make a post.

Below is an except from the Win2000 EULA.

???? * Software Product Transfer.? You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the HARDWARE, provided you retain no copies, you transfer all of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including all component parts, the media and printed
materials, any upgrades, this EULA and, if applicable, the Certificate(s) of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to
the terms of this EULA.? If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

"OtH" is very much correct in the issue of the valid license key; and that "is" the issue that makes tranferrring an installation to another Mobo etc. somewhat contentious. Similarly giving a copy of the OS (or even a clone-copy/image - or working HD installation) to another user... is equally a no-no (rather "naughty" as the goons might have sed...).

If you have a valid CD-key (i.e. it's yours and yours alone...) then you can do it all (transfer a working drive etc...) nice and legal. But if (as in this case) you merely have an installation from one system and wish to make it work in another..., and do "not" have a valid CD-key (even if you have genuine CD itself or even a true copy of one - but no key) then it ain't legal... but it can be done.

The "how to" (in the case of W2K) is in the M$-KB; also out there on the www; and also in the not so ancient archives/posts here...

Nuff said! Good info from both trvlr and OtheHill. I appreciate this kind of sound advice rather than some of the derogatory remarks some posters offer. Thanx again:)