Will it work? Swapping hard drives between an X60t and X60t

[fongj]

I got an X60t a few weeks ago, and spent the past few weeks updating the OS, getting software installed, etc...

Now, since X61t's are so cheap (basically the same price I paid for my X60t), I ordered one, and plan to hand-off my X60t to a family member.

To save all the hassle of getting my new X61t the way I want it, can I just swap my current X60t's HD into my new X61t? (and move the HD that comes with the X61t into the X60t?). Both are 2.5" SATA, so physically it'll work, but...

Will there be issues with the following?

• *Windows activation (I paid for Windows XP Tablet Edition for both tablets)

• *X60t-specific system information on the HD that will mean the OS gets very confused booting up in an X61t? (and vice versa for the clean HD from the X61t being used in an X60t).

• *Third-party Software activation (I anticipate some of this, though, and don't mind re-installing Adobe CS, etc...)

Additional system details, since all of it won't fit in my sig:
X60t (6365CTO) 1.66gHz L2400 Core Duo, 2gb RAM, 120gb HD, Atheros ABG, SXGA+, BT
X61t (7764CTO) 1.60gHz L7400 C2D, 512mb RAM, 80gb HD, Atheros ABG, SXGA+, BT, X6 Ultrabase with DVD-burner

(I'll be swapping the RAM between the two tablets too).

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice, etc.!


(Mods, feel free to move this topic to the X60 forum if you think it'll be more relevant there.)

Note from Moderator: Generally the way it works around here is that you post in the right conference to begin with...

(fongj note: Sorry, it seemed like a general software/operating-system issue.)

[fongj]

Even though my X61t isn't estimated to ship until 07/10, any replies before then would be appreciated.

[thormdac]

@fongj,

chances are pretty good it will work! see it this way: once xp has booted without hassles, you are nearly there- the rest should be resolved by thinkvantage systemupdate.

if you dont boot right through , showing bluescreen etc., you might as well just give it a skip.- hassles getting the right stuff installed usually exceed the time needed to set up the machine from scrap by far!
greetz

[Ideasmiths]

• *Windows activation (I paid for Windows XP Tablet Edition for both tablets)

-system issue.)

Theoretically it should work. But in actual fact there are a few considerations you should be aware of. I have experience in using the SAME harddisk on the SAME desktop PC, but because I changed the processor (to a faster one), XP detected a 'significant' change and asked for re-activation. Same detection happened when I changed to a faster graphics card weeks later. Both cases I have to called the Microsoft activation line and go through the re-activation.

Point to note: The harddisk on the X60/X61 is preactivated with OEM Window Tablet XP with it's own unique serial number! This mean that the license that you paid for (that sticker COA at the SODIMM compartment) has NOT been activated yet!

ie, in your case, you would end up with 4 license, 2 OEM and 2 COA stickers.

In my opinion, it's much simpler to restore to factory standard for the X60, since new drivers came out anyway.

[fongj]

In my opinion, it's much simpler to restore to factory standard for the X60, since new drivers came out anyway.

It would be... except I want to use the 120gb hard drive that is currently installed (and activated) in the X60t in the X61t (and vice versa), not just move over my data and programs. i.e. I want the bigger drive and my family member has enough space with the 80gb drive. hmm...

Or, are you saying if I factory restore the X60 drive (120gb) and then boot up for the first time in the X61t, I can at least save the hassle of reactivating (and when the X61t drive, 80gb, boots up for the first time in the X60t, it won't know or care that it was originally from an X61t, except for some minor driver issues).

Thanks for all the advice and tips!

[oleshvets]

regarding windows activation

you would need to call m$ at 800 number given. i had to when i changed acoustic management for hdd (got routed to india). after 10 min of arguing i got my way. hope it helps

[proaudioguy]

regarding windows activation

you would need to call m$ at 800 number given. i had to when i changed acoustic management for hdd (got routed to india). after 10 min of arguing i got my way. hope it helps

Which Thirkpad was that? was that the original factory Preload?

[Ideasmiths]

In my opinion, it's much simpler to restore to factory standard for the X60, since new drivers came out anyway.

It would be... except I want to use the 120gb hard drive that is currently installed (and activated) in the X60t in the X61t (and vice versa), not just move over my data and programs. i.e. I want the bigger drive and my family member has enough space with the 80gb drive. hmm... ps!

I see, now the picture becomes clearer.

If you just want the 120GB drive, then you will need a spare USB harddisk elsewhere. Download the Acronis TruImage which has a 15 days trial (more than enough time for your needs).

Lets say you have
A) X60T 120G HDD
B) X61T 80G HDD
C) A spare USB HDD with enough space

So you clone A to C
Then you clone B to A, load into X61T and make sure it works

Last you clone C back to B, load into X60T and make sure it works.
At all time your preciious data is secured in C. when both tablets work and all your data is there, erase C or use as a backup for the restoration files

i do this all the time when I upgrade to T40->T43-X60->X60T now. Acronis is so far 100% safe for my data

[proaudioguy]

Hey, is that because you are using the same drive in each computer, and just copying the computer's original drive? OR have you figured out a way to image your old computer to the new one, and have it work without NTLDR or some such nonesense like wrong machine.

To be clearer, I'm thinking you have a single 7200 drive that you just keep taking with you to the next system, but you are using the software load that comes with the new computer.

[Ideasmiths]

Hey, is that because you are using the same drive in each computer, and just copying the computer's original drive? OR have you figured out a way to image your old computer to the new one, and have it work without NTLDR or some such nonesense like wrong machine.
.

I am using the same 'image' on the same computer. If you take the image and install on another computer or even another lenovo, Xp will scream foul.

For his case, it will still work because the image is intact from X60T to X61T, as long as he don't mess it up

[fongj]

If you just want the 120GB drive, then you will need a spare USB harddisk elsewhere. Download the Acronis TruImage which has a 15 days trial (more than enough time for your needs).

Lets say you have
A) X60T 120G HDD
B) X61T 80G HDD
C) A spare USB HDD with enough space

So you clone A to C
Then you clone B to A, load into X61T and make sure it works

Last you clone C back to B, load into X60T and make sure it works.
At all time your preciious data is secured in C. when both tablets work and all your data is there, erase C or use as a backup for the restoration files

i do this all the time when I upgrade to T40->T43-X60->X60T now. Acronis is so far 100% safe for my data

Hey, is that because you are using the same drive in each computer, and just copying the computer's original drive? OR have you figured out a way to image your old computer to the new one, and have it work without NTLDR or some such nonesense like wrong machine.
.

I am using the same 'image' on the same computer. If you take the image and install on another computer or even another lenovo, Xp will scream foul.

For his case, it will still work because the image is intact from X60T to X61T, as long as he don't mess it up

Wow, that sounds good! I have a copy of Acronis TrueImage and also a few extra external hard drives to do it as you described. I also didn't think of it, but I have a copy of "Laplink PCmover" to move my installed programs and configuration from the X60t over to the fresh X61t.

That being said, I'm tempted to try letting XP cry foul by keeping the X60t image on the 120gb hard drive, and booting it up in the X61t computer... if its just a matter of re-activation and a few driver updates, it will be easier than re-installing dozens of programs... if XP makes it too complicated, then I'll easily have the original X61t image to go back to.

Thanks for all the tips!

(sorry for the late reply... I didn't get any email notifications that you guys were replying... hmm...)

[proaudioguy]

Please post a reply if that works. It might not be an issue. I think it becomes an issue when you move to a completely different computer. I have swapped drives from one A31 to the other several times with no such issues. The X61 may be enough like the X60 to work the same. I'm sure there will probably be a few drivers installed though.

[fongj]

Please post a reply if that works. It might not be an issue. I think it becomes an issue when you move to a completely different computer. I have swapped drives from one A31 to the other several times with no such issues. The X61 may be enough like the X60 to work the same. I'm sure there will probably be a few drivers installed though.

Got both the X60t and X61t's hard drive images onto an external USB HD. I moved the X60t hard drive over to the X61t, and tried to boot up.

Result: Blue Screen of Death, with a stop error. Likewise for safe-mode.

I moved the X61t's original hard drive to the X60t... it booted fine, with some driver and software problems, but nothing on the operating system level.

Plan: I'm going to restore the X60t's image onto the new X60t drive (the old X61t drive, 80gb), and vice versa, then try to use Laplink PCmover to move the programs and configuration of the X60t onto the X61t.

Edit/Update/Problem: I believe SATA driver issues are haunting me. When I boot up with the Acronis recover CD, the installed 2.5" system drive is not listed/detected, only the cd-rom drive and the external USB drive. I started up Windows, and then started up TrueImage (the installed 2.5" drive is listed)... TrueImage recommends doing a restore via a reboot. I try that option, and the same thing happens... the 2.5" system drive doesn't show up on the list. hmm....

From the info here: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/archive/ ... 19166.html, I'm going to try downloading TrueImage 10 (vs. TrueImage 8, which I own and have been using), and use the latest rescue disc.

[fongj]

Update:
Using a the Recovery CD from TrueImage v.10, I'm able to restore the X60t's original image onto its new drive (80gb from the X61t). There is no problem with the installed 2.5" SATA drive not being detected.

Next steps:
1) Restore the X61t's image onto its new drive (the 120gb).
2) Use Laplink PCmover to migrate programs and configuration over (from the X60t to the X61t).
3) Clean up and make sure the X61t is how I want it.
4) Send the X60t for depot repair. (its a SXGA+ that has the lower 1/3 screen problem, except it more like the entire lower 2/3... which has made all the above steps more interesting).
5) Enjoy the X61t.

[Ideasmiths]

Edit/Update/Problem: I believe SATA driver issues are haunting me. When I boot up with the Acronis recover CD, the installed 2.5" system drive is not listed/detected, only the cd-rom drive and the external USB drive. I started up Windows, and then started up TrueImage (the installed 2.5" drive is listed)... TrueImage recommends doing a restore via a reboot. I try that option, and the same thing happens... the 2.5" system drive doesn't show up on the list. hmm....

Good try so far.

Could you check something? When you boot, go into BIOS by pressing F1 and check if your X60 and X61 are in AHCI or compatible mode. If both are the same then it should be fine.

Why I ask is because if the initial BIOS for SATA was "compatible" mode, after factory restore and when you try to change the BIOS to AHCI mode, the blue screen will come on during boot. It will only allow boot when you change back to "comptaible" mode.

So lets say X60 was in AHCI and X61 was in "compatible" mode, then your images won't run. This has nothing to do with the XP screaming B-)

[fongj]

Just checked: Both the X60t and X61t were in AHCI mode.

Laplink PCmover did a bit better than I expected. The $5 copy of the program I got included only a USB 1.1 cable, but I just let it run overnight. (The software is also network compatible, but the home network is funky right now, and I rather not have two somewhat compromised PC's attached to the internet.

Symantec Client Security (provided for free by my school, so I use it) stopped working after being migrated over, though, and a couple of other programs need to be re-activated. Other than that, I still think I'm better off than starting from scratch.

[proaudioguy]

Just checked: Both the X60t and X61t were in AHCI mode.

Laplink PCmover did a bit better than I expected. The $5 copy of the program I got included only a USB 1.1 cable, but I just let it run overnight. (The software is also network compatible, but the home network is funky right now, and I rather not have two somewhat compromised PC's attached to the internet.

Symantec Client Security (provided for free by my school, so I use it) stopped working after being migrated over, though, and a couple of other programs need to be re-activated. Other than that, I still think I'm better off than starting from scratch.

Could you please tell me what is the difference between a USB1.1 and a USB2.0 cable Copper is copper folks. No snake oil.

[fongj]

Just checked: Both the X60t and X61t were in AHCI mode.

Laplink PCmover did a bit better than I expected. The $5 copy of the program I got included only a USB 1.1 cable, but I just let it run overnight. (The software is also network compatible, but the home network is funky right now, and I rather not have two somewhat compromised PC's attached to the internet.

Symantec Client Security (provided for free by my school, so I use it) stopped working after being migrated over, though, and a couple of other programs need to be re-activated. Other than that, I still think I'm better off than starting from scratch.

Could you please tell me what is the difference between a USB1.1 and a USB2.0 cable Copper is copper folks. No snake oil.

This special double-ended Male-USB-Type-A cable has a dongle/lump in the middle, so I think the there's a chip or some other circuitry that limited transfer rates.

My total migration was 13gb or so, and PCmover claimed they could compress data by half before transferring. Even so, the transfer time took about 4 hours... that's definitely not USB 2.0 speeds.

[proaudioguy]

Well I have a regular laplink cable and it doesn't have any lump in the middle. I can only guess that perhaps they are limiting the speed on the so called NON USB 2.0 cable in order to peddle the USB 2.0 cable.

There may be a better quality requirement to be certified USB2.0, but I would expect even if a USB cable made before 2.0 was out would give you at least 400MB accounting for losses. Hey I'm talking totally out of my [censored] here. Prove me wrong.

In my line of work you see a lot of stuf out there that is just plain BS. Monster cable, and OFC comes to mind. Directional speaker wire. Gold edison connectors to improve the sound. Lots and lots of BS.
Believe me if it made a difference we would be using it in the industry.

Copper is copper. If you have a longer run, make it thicker. If you will need to move it, make it stranded so it will be flexible. If it needs to be run over by a car, and lay in parking lots. with oil spots, etc and or get rained on, use SOW jacketed.