New computer won't boot after copying old hard drive to it.

[Alaskansomeone]

I copied my old hard drive to an external hard drive. Then pasted all to my new computer hard drive. Now computer won't boot

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Yeah... Windows (and operating systems in general) doesn't work like that.

You'll need to get hold of a recovery disk, and use that. Then just move your files to the new PC.

 

[giantbucket]

surprise! that's not the proper way to do it. you need to properly clone your original drive. either use Window's own native feature to create a system image (on a 3rd drive) or use other programs like Acronis TrueImage or maybe Clonezilla.

 

[RababNoor]

You can't just Copy-Paste your OS system.
You need to Install your OS again on your New Hard Drive or Cloning your Hard Drive

 

[Alaskansomeone]

Yeah... Windows (and operating systems in general) doesn't work like that.

You'll need to get hold of a recovery disk, and use that. Then just move your files to the new PC.

Thanks! I will reinstall the Windows 10 from the disk that came with the computer then just copy files. This is my 15 year olds' new computer and he was trying to keep all his gaming from old computer. Guess we got over zealous in what we thought we could do with just a copy and paste.

 

[giantbucket]

again, you can NOT just copy-paste PROGRAMS. you can copy-paste only stuff like pictures, documents, files that make up a program, but NOT the program itself (aka the registry of it, the installation portion)

also, hang on a second. different computer? even a clone won't work in that case. be prepared to re-install EVERYTHING, which means Windows and Firefox and every single game. you can probably (maybe) copy some configuration files over, but even that isn't always guaranteed.

 

[Alaskansomeone]

again, you can NOT just copy-paste PROGRAMS. you can copy-paste only stuff like pictures, documents, files that make up a program, but NOT the program itself (aka the registry of it, the installation portion)

also, hang on a second. different computer? even a clone won't work in that case. be prepared to re-install EVERYTHING, which means Windows and Firefox and every single game. you can probably (maybe) copy some configuration files over, but even that isn't always guaranteed.

Thank you for educating yet another of us who think it is way easier than it is. I have always just "started over" when I get a new computer, generally copying only a few files like pics and taxes. But this is the first new computer for my son since he started gaming on our old desktop, and he just couldn't face the idea of having to "start over", thought we could transfer it all. My fear was that we fried the new computer hard drive when we couldn't boot after the paste. If it just means re installing windows and a teenager facing the facts of life that sometimes you gotta start over... then so it goes. Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[RababNoor]

Your Hard Drive is not Fried yet. Just format your HDD & it will come to life.

If cloning hard drive is tricky to you, then just copy the Games files & folders from Program Files [ in C: Drive] paste it some other places [Cloud Storage or External Drive].
Then after Reinstalling Windows & installing Games, just Copy that Files & Folders again in same places. And your Games will play at the checkpoint where you last Saved.

 

[Alaskansomeone]

Your Hard Drive is not Fried yet. Just format your HDD & it will come to life.

If cloning hard drive is tricky to you, then just copy the Games files & folders from Program Files [ in C: Drive] paste it some other places [Cloud Storage or External Drive].
Then after Reinstalling Windows & installing Games, just Copy that Files & Folders again in same places. And your Games will play at the checkpoint where you last Saved.

How do I format HDD? Is that through Bios? A big thank you to you as well.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Re-install windows. When it asks you where to install to, hit the advanced button and hit format. Or delete and re-create the partition.

 

[Alaskansomeone]

so... now trying to reinstall windows. However when we start up new computer it stays on a black A2 screen?? Cant get to Bios. can't get out of the blank, black screen.

 

[RababNoor]

Your Hard Drive is not Fried yet. Just format your HDD & it will come to life.

If cloning hard drive is tricky to you, then just copy the Games files & folders from Program Files [ in C: Drive] paste it some other places [Cloud Storage or External Drive].
Then after Reinstalling Windows & installing Games, just Copy that Files & Folders again in same places. And your Games will play at the checkpoint where you last Saved.

How do I format HDD? Is that through Bios? A big thank you to you as well.

Someone Somewhere bro told you Already.
Watch this video for better understanding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mME9VLT7-xw

 

[Alaskansomeone]

thanks. what I'm saying is that when we start up with windows 10 disk in cd/dvd drive ... we get nothing ... cant get past a black screen with an A2 in lower right corner. so don't know how I can follow the advise given if I can't get it running.

 

[RababNoor]

thanks. what I'm saying is that when we start up with windows 10 disk in cd/dvd drive ... we get nothing ... cant get past a black screen with an A2 in lower right corner. so don't know how I can follow the advise given if I can't get it running.

power off the pc, unplug the sata cable from the HDD, power on pc, check if bios shows up???
If shows up, Try plugging the hard drive into a different SATA port.

 

[Alaskansomeone]

Thank you. Yes tried that and tried plugging hd to cd/DVD. No luck. Think I may have to admit we screwed up big ..