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Move Windows 7 SSD to another machine
Moved a SSD drive with Windows 7 installed from one Dell desktop machine to another. Similar vintage and hardware. It'll boot right up to the Windows 7 sign on screen. Once I put in the password it hangs on Welcome with the spinning circle forever. Any things I can try before giving up and reinstalling Windows?
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Do be aware that booting the SSD on the second system invalidates the Windows license as part of the startup license validation process where it checks the host hardware. You'll then have to re-authorize Windows on the new hardware using the second system's W7 license ... if it has one.
normally windows 7 is forgiving about different hardware, so this suggests there was some problem before.
what was the reason the move the SSD to the other PC?
what was the reason the move the SSD to the other PC?
If this is the Dell OEM O/S distribution, then it will simply not work for two reasons
1. It violates licensing.
2. The HAL (hardware abstraction layer), think of it as the kernel, is designed to work for the specific motherboard in the OEM version. Unlike the windows retail version, it won't have the drivers, DMA support, and flexibility to boot on non-identical systems.
Only the retail windows version should be expected to work for you on #2. As for #1, if this is a replacement system, then MSFT can issue you a new key for a license transfer.
1. It violates licensing.
2. The HAL (hardware abstraction layer), think of it as the kernel, is designed to work for the specific motherboard in the OEM version. Unlike the windows retail version, it won't have the drivers, DMA support, and flexibility to boot on non-identical systems.
Only the retail windows version should be expected to work for you on #2. As for #1, if this is a replacement system, then MSFT can issue you a new key for a license transfer.
I would boot from a Windows 7 install/repair DVD (or USB)...
Then run a chkdsk on the SSD... If that doesn't correct the error, I would try a "system repair" at that point...
Please update us with your progress: i.e., what you tried so far and what the results were...
As far as Windows 7 goes, as a "big box" OEM, Dell uses SLIC 2.1 licensing on OEM Windows 7, so that should NOT be an issue (as long as the BIOS has the DELL SLIC license on BOTH machines)!
Then run a chkdsk on the SSD... If that doesn't correct the error, I would try a "system repair" at that point...
Please update us with your progress: i.e., what you tried so far and what the results were...
As far as Windows 7 goes, as a "big box" OEM, Dell uses SLIC 2.1 licensing on OEM Windows 7, so that should NOT be an issue (as long as the BIOS has the DELL SLIC license on BOTH machines)!
ASKER
Logged in as local admin and once I bypassed the domain I was able to do what I needed to do. Flawless, no driver issues. Thanks.
Good job...
For future reference, if you need a "system repair" disk, this article shows how to create one:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-system-repair-disc
Basically: To create a system repair disc:
Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore.
In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc, and then follow the steps. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Note:
If you're prompted to insert a Windows installation disc, it means that the files needed to create the system repair disc can't be found on your computer. Insert a Windows 7 installation disc.
For future reference, if you need a "system repair" disk, this article shows how to create one:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-system-repair-disc
Basically: To create a system repair disc:
Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore.
In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc, and then follow the steps. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Note:
If you're prompted to insert a Windows installation disc, it means that the files needed to create the system repair disc can't be found on your computer. Insert a Windows 7 installation disc.