[Kajacot]

So, playing Bioshock, and thinkin, "time to hit the sack". I shut my PC down. Then I remember I have a paper to print.

I turn the PC on.

It says, "Operating System Not Found, Please Insert A Boot Disk" or something along that line.

I say "Wat".

I quickly think, so I take this descrete box out and look through my pirated CDs. I find "Ubuntu".

At that moment I lifted it up like Link does when he gets his sword. I put that baby in and restart my PC. Booting up Ubuntu from CD, I realize I can't find my flash drive! Next best thing! I take out my iPod and plug it in. I go into /c: documents and get the file, run upstairs, print the paper then take a shower.

5 min ago, I got back, took Ubuntu CD out and restarted my PC, same error. I try again. Still can't find an OS.

I restart one last time getting ready to reformat my harddrive. It says it can't FIND my harddrive. I rage.

Final time, I restart it, and go to boot menu. There it is, my harddrive. I select it and now I'm here.

WHAT THE HELL!

[xjosx]

your harddrive is going.
back that shit up, it'll die soon.

[Jason]

if it happens again super grub might help


http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

saved my ass a couple times on my old pc >.>

[Kajacot]

Question: Since my vista installs from a partion of my harddrive, how can I get it to install on a different harddrive?

[krackhead]

that happened to me after i kept getting the bluescreen. i got warranty and they replaced my motherboard, ram, and harddrive.

[crazyboy515]

wake up it,s a dream

[Kajacot]

Originally Posted by crazyboy515

wake up it,s a dream

?

[bumbleskull]

you can't easily move an installed os from one hard drive to another. You will have to copy it bit by bit which will take hours if not days, in which time you could have just backed up your important data, reinstalled and been back to normal while not having to worry about losing power and corrupting your entire hard drive.

my advice is simply to back up your vista key, if you don't have it already (you can use programs to get it from install, just google for the program) and use ubuntu to back up your files to your ipod or a flash drive

[rafaelzepe]

my advice is take the important things like music photos and videos pretty much things that are special but are digital only then reinstall the os and get all of your programs back but there might be something wring with your hardrive i would consider calling your computer manufacturer

[Kajacot]

Originally Posted by bumbleskull

you can't easily move an installed os from one hard drive to another. You will have to copy it bit by bit which will take hours if not days, in which time you could have just backed up your important data, reinstalled and been back to normal while not having to worry about losing power and corrupting your entire hard drive.

my advice is simply to back up your vista key, if you don't have it already (you can use programs to get it from install, just google for the program) and use ubuntu to back up your files to your ipod or a flash drive

Don't have a vista key.

It came pre-installed on the PC.

[itami]

Originally Posted by bumbleskull

you can't easily move an installed os from one hard drive to another. You will have to copy it bit by bit which will take hours if not days, in which time you could have just backed up your important data, reinstalled and been back to normal while not having to worry about losing power and corrupting your entire hard drive.

my advice is simply to back up your vista key, if you don't have it already (you can use programs to get it from install, just google for the program) and use ubuntu to back up your files to your ipod or a flash drive

Cloning hard drives doesn't take that long. I've had to do it before but that was with hard drives that were working just fine.

[retrac1324]

At that moment I lifted it up like Link does when he gets his sword.

You just connected with me on a level I didn't think was possible.

[Bourkster]

A virus has found its way into your boot sector. Look it up. Your only options are to install a cloned image and remove the virus first shot; otherwise format and reinstall.

[xII REALITY IIx]

Funny story.

[b4n3]

Cloning OS's doesn't sound ideal. You should just back up your important files and install a fresh copy of Vista.
See if you can find your key with this: Magical Jelly Bean Software - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0.1
But there may be other programs that can find it too if that one doesn't work.

[fscrp]

Did you have a USB drive plugged in when you booted? Newer motherboards will try to boot from them before your hard drive.

In regards to cloning speed - depends on how much data you have. If you are cloning 500 gig it will take a lot longer than 20 gig. They type of connection affects the time as well; if you backup to a USB device it will take longer than say saving to a network share on a wired network.

If the drive doesn't have any bad blocks and your current Vista install is fairly clean, go with the cloning as it will require much less "hands-on" time.

[inixuity]

Like everyone else has said up here. I highly recommend you backup all importanto data. No hdd should have MBR problems directly after working no problems. This could be either data corruption and/or a virii (odd and rare, but it happens). I def side with all the recommendations here.

I've completely cloned a 1tb in 5hours (using hirens boot cd via dos) any gui-ized/win app will take much longer, and may not work in its entirety as some system files cannot be altered/copied whilst in use.

Just giving my 2cent, good luck.

[shadow1768]

Or just look on the side of the PC for the MS certificate with the Vista Key. If not just right click My Computer and go to properties.

If you purchased it from a manufacturer, most have there own diagnostic tool installed on the computer, run it and report any errors (to the company if your under warranty, here if not).

Also for those of you giving advice and not knowing what you are saying, just do not give advice before one day you end giving the really wrong advice (you know who you are).