Reinstalling software copied to a disk

[teamdaddy]

I will be installing a new HDD on my thinkpad in a few days, replacing one that has crashed on me. Here is my problem. I am wanting to replace some of the software programs (MS Office) that was on my old HDD but the original installation disks were misplaced in my last move. I've copied the program to a CD, but I'm not sure if it can be reinstalled from this disk. Can anyone tell me if this is possible or if I've just lost the program. Thanks.

[GomJabbar]

I will be installing a new HDD on my thinkpad in a few days, replacing one that has crashed on me. Here is my problem. I am wanting to replace some of the software programs (MS Office) that was on my old HDD but the original installation disks were misplaced in my last move. I've copied the program to a CD, but I'm not sure if it can be reinstalled from this disk. Can anyone tell me if this is possible or if I've just lost the program. Thanks.

If you made a copy of the original MS Office install disk, then you should be able to reinstall the software. You will need the product key however.

This is an excellent case for having a hard drive backup to external disk, DVD, or CD. A hard drive image will work as well. Hard drives crash not infrequently.

Yeah I know, hindsight is always 20-20.

[teamdaddy]

Hard drives crash not infrequently.

So I've learned. Unfotunately this is not a copy of the original installation disk. I simply copied the MS Office folder from the program files on the computer. Oh well, needed to upgrade to the 2003 version anyway. Thanks.

[egibbs]

In this case what you want to do is "Clone" your existing hard disk (make an exact copy on the new disk).

Generally I'm not a fan of cloning for a couple reasons.

1. Starting fresh every so often helps to keep the clustter down.
2. Sometimes problems are encountered if the new drive geometry is much different than the old drive geometry. Windows keeps information about the geometry on the disk, and that information can be copied to the new drive where it would be invalid and cause issues. I think most newer cloning software can account for this, but nothing is perfect.

However, if you have several hundred (or thousand) dollars worth of software that you can't easily reload, cloning might be the best choice.

There are many options for cloning software - Norton Ghost, Acronis True Image, etc.

Ed Gibbs

[dmar]

I know this won't help you recover your application software (MS OFFICE), but in case you're trying to recover other files... I just had a hard drive crash on me a few months ago, and used GetDataBack http://www.download.com/GetDataBack-Dat ... 02138.html

to get a bunch of my files back. It was much cheaper than paying the $1,500 the 'professionals' quoted me to tear apart the cylinders and platter to retrieve my data.

In any case, if you're trying to grab anymore data off your crashed hard drive, that software might be a low cost option.

[teamdaddy]

I have ordered the Acronis software, but the HDD is completely gone now. I can't load anything on it, and can only get it to start one out of twenty trys or so, and then it will freeze after just a few minutes. I mainly got the software to make copies of everything when I get the new drive in and the software reloaded. I could kick myself for not having done this sooner. Live and learn, huh? I appreciate everyone's help.

[Nolonemo]

I would stop using the HDD to keep it from deteriorating further. You might be able to clone it when you get the Acronis, you never know....

[egibbs]

Before you give up on the disk, try putting it in another machine. Go to Start/Run/Cmd and type chkdsk x: /f (where x is the letter assigned to the bad drive).

It's a long shot, but I have seen chkdsk rescue drives that I was sure were toasted.

Ed Gibbs