Need help with XP system after Win 7 install

This forum was extremely helpful in setting up my new W7 Pro install. I wanted to keep my old XP system bootable via bios (not normal dual boot ) but goofed in early stages. I installed new motherboard/cpu/memory prior to starting and goofed severely by booting up system prior to W7 install.

This apparently screwed up my XP...and with very limited help from Microsoft groups...I was luckily able to get XP to boot without a complete reinstall...but via what they called a "repair install"...I lost all programs/data, etc in the process...which I thought the "repair install" was supposed to save ?

I do have 2 or 3 bootable cloned drives ( separate - not in current W7 Pro system ) of my long time working XP installation. (XP working drive is in box/bios as second Sata HDD - not boot drive now). Is there a way to get all the programs/data imported into the new working XP installation on the new system from the drives I cloned ?

Obviously I can't just put them back in the box as the boot drive since they are setup under the old motherboard/cpu etc (HAL issue I think). From the booting new XP system...can I "migrate" everything from one of the cloned drives into the working upgraded XP C: drive if I install one of the clones in the box as a second ( non-booting ) drive and how would I go about this ? (1st disconnecting the W7 drive of course)

Will the XP version of Windows Easy Transfer work for me to recover all my programs/settings/data, etc from the backup drive...?...or how else can this be done ?

Thanks much, Tim

You can often start an XP HD on new hardware by running a Repair install from booted XP CD to adjust to the new hardware.

If you Repair Intall XP while Win7 is plugged in, you will lose the ability to boot Win7 until you add it back with EasyBCD. Better to unplug Win7 HD so that after XP is repaired, you can plug it back in and boot either from BIOS shortcut key for Boot Menu.

Remember that a Repair install in XP is not the first "R" offered for Repair. You have to continue with XP setup until it discovers the installation and then choose "R" for Repair. If you do this, it will save all ofyour programs, files and settings in place while reinstalling the OS and acclimating the new hardware.

I think the XP repair install is what he did in the first place - that is what has led to his current predicament.

You can make the other HD containing XP bootable in the existing machine - you need a 3rd party app. , like Paragon Adaptive restore - very simple - attach the drive to your new machine - point AR at it - takes 2 secs.

Boot the newly attached HD - works great.

I agree with gregrocker. If he had done the process correctly, he would not have lost his programs. I have done it several times and it seems to work well.

Thanks guys...I believe I did follow...line by line...the following instructions ( How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install ) starting at XP Repair install as recommended by the Install, Upgrade and Activate social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/.

Win 7 install did not exist at that time...so no detaching the w7 HHD

Booted thru bios to DVD with my retail XP Pro SP2 DVD

Choose start Windows Setup...NOT repair install

Selected only XP system in system...and hit "R"

Did not press anything at first install reboot

System rebooted...but only would go to "Safe Mode" finally got to regular startup...almost but everything was then gone ?

Very little help from MS...so where did I go wrong ?

As above...I have three cloned drives from the original install...but that would mean removing new motherboard/cpu/memory and reinstalling old system ?

Lots of time if it's not going to work ?

Thanks much...Tim

Saltgrass said:

I agree with gregrocker. If he had done the process correctly, he would not have lost his programs. I have done it several times and it seems to work well.

You can often start an XP HD on new hardware by running a Repair install from booted XP CD to adjust to the new hardware.

If you Repair Intall XP while Windows 7 is plugged in, you will lose the ability to boot Windows 7 until you add it back with EasyBCD. Better to unplug Windows 7 HD so that after XP is repaired, you can plug it back in and boot either from BIOS shortcut key for Boot Menu.

Remember that a Repair install in XP is not the first "R" offered for Repair. You have to continue with XP setup until it discovers the installation and then choose "R" for Repair. If you do this, it will save all ofyour programs, files and settings in place while reinstalling the OS and acclimating the new hardware.

Normally, the procedure to start XP on new hardware is to run the Repair Install before it attempts to start up. I have never heard of it failing in the way you describe.

You might want to try it again using the cloned image, or use the Paragon Adaptive Restore program which SIW2 recommends - it's an add-on to one of the paid programs, though.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home...ptive-restore/

Are you clones SP2 or SP3.

help-me-clone-my-laptop-new-desktop

You need to make sure as well that boot.ini is pointing the right way. If you know how to do that manually - it's quick and esy.

Otherwise, there is a boot.ini corrector on FREE Paragon Rescue Kit Express

Select Normal Mode >Boot Corrector.