Comments on: Information to Have Ready When You Call DTIData.com Software Technical Support

By: Jacqui Best

Jacqui Best — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:18:14 +0000

Hueberg,

Yeah with the update in the operating system they got rid of the ability to do that since it was NEVER their intention to be able to. Windows XP has what is call the HAL (hardware authentication list) which works by tagging all the serial numbers in the computer and if they change recognizing that. If the Hard Drive serial number changes then the OS will no longer boot. I have found there is a few ways to get around this.
1. Using SYSPREP to make an image of the drive with the XP key as well as all tagged system info pulled out. This is the Microsoft preferred method but even after take a 2 day class from Microsoft on how to do it properly I have still yet to make it work so it is up to you.
2. Acronis will allow you to make an image much like that of sysprep it will pull out system information and allow you to blow the image out to multi drives over a network or locally. Again you will have to enter a valid code and user info when the machine boots.
3. You can do a straight clone of the drive and when it boot reinstall windows over the top. This would allow for any programs and such to still be installed and register in the registry but would allow you to fix the problem being generated by the HAL.

Sorry that there is no easy fix, but Microsoft took the copy protection in Windows XP very serious, which makes generating a single image for easy of multi machine builds a little more tricky then in the old days.

By: Hueberg Oyatsi

Hueberg Oyatsi — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:13:23 +0000

When installing several comps with similar m/boards, I used to copy Windows 98 from one hdd to another with ease. How can I do the same in XP?

By: Michael Stankard

Michael Stankard — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:15:46 +0000

Ramon,

What operating system are you using? If it is XP you are going to have to have service pack 2 installed to see large drives. The worst case scenario is that you might have to format the other space (it will appear as unallocated) after the service pack is installed.

By: Ramon

Ramon — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:27:11 +0000

Hi! I installed a 250Gb hard-drive but it only accepts half of that what do I need to do

By: Cynthia Sobkowich

Cynthia Sobkowich — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:25:07 +0000

I downloaded the demo and it worked great until I got to the area where it was supposed to build the file list. I got this error COULD NOT READ SECTOR 200330315 and it shut down the software when I clicked on OK.

I wanted to purchase the software if I could recover the files on a brand new 500 GB Western Digital Hard Drive I’ve had 2.5 months. The scan shows the number of folders and files on the disk but will not list them in the “Build the File List” area. I get the above error and it shuts down immediately.

Is there a fix for this so I can download and purchase the software to recover my files?

I am a photographer and I have 2000 photos backed up for “safe keeping” on this drive. I’m feeling very ill right now.

Cynthia