Hard Drive Crashed - FP Upgrade won't install

[Arrrrrg the Pirate]

After several years, my hard drive died. I have FP2003 Upgrade version, and
it won't install because I am missing some files it's looking for. I also
have FP98, and it won't install because it's an upgrade too. I also have
Office XP, but that doesn't help either. Although I've been a loyal FP
customer, I seem to be screwed! Can anyone email me the base files I need,
or how can I get this thing installed again? Thanks in advance.

 

[Edward O'Brien]

All the FP discs you have that are upgrades must follow an original 'clean'
disc, though you can install the original disc and then the latest upgrade.
In any event, you will need the original - full (OEM maybe) version in order
to upgrade.

Hope this helps,

Ed

 

[p c]

When purchasing upgrades it's important to keep the previous purchased
version for situation like this.

To reinstall FP to the latest purchased version, you start installation
from the latest version. The installer will ask you for proof of
qualified product purchased. You then insert the CD rom for the
previous version to verify it. You put back the CD rom for the latest
version to continue the installation. You don't have to re-install the
previous version. This worked for me for going from FP 98 to FP2k when i
had to replace my hard drive due to crash.

Not sure if it works the same way for 3 versions. Yo can try,

....PC

 

[Jon]

Hello Arrrrg the Pirate,

I also had a Hard Drive Crash around Christmas time. I had similar
problems. It caused a lot of problems and is still an ongoing problem.

I am surprised how many people have had Hard Drive failures. I was also
pleasantly surprised at how knowledgeable people are about recovering the
data. I expect to be able to recover my data. Apparently many crashes are
not as bad as people think. In my case it was the circuit board on the
drive that went bad. The data is fine, just not currently accessible. If I
find a matching board, I can switch them and the drive will work again, or I
can take the disc out of the drive and install it in a matching drive and
recover the data.

Now I am looking for a good fast easy cheap way to back up everything.

The previous post was correct in that you have to have a Full version in
order to reinstall from the Upgrade Disc. I feel as if I am paying extra
because every few upgrades, I get stuck in a situation where in order to
upgrade, I still have to purchase the full version. Something prevents
loyal Microsoft Customers from upgrading year after year. Eventually they
have to pay the big bucks for another Full version. It is inevitable.

Jon

 

[john]

Most data IS recoverable, but if you have a physical problem on the
drive and you try to recover the data on your own you can hurt the
drive, possibly making it irreconcilably damaged. If you give ESS Data
Recovery a call at 1-800-237-4200 they provide free estimates and great
service, but as for self-recovery, I'd try to avoid it.

 

[Jon]

Hi John,
I am glad you clarified that. I was not recommending self-help on the Hard
Drive repair. I took mine to three places before I found someone that can
retrieve the data. They have not retrieved the data yet, but claim that
they have isolated the problem and will have the data soon.

Do you have any idea of how much ESS Data would charge to recover data from
a 30 GB Maxtor with a bad circuit board?

Jon

 

[john]

It depends. I would say you're probably looking at the $700-900 price
range, could be lower or higher depending on filesystem and other
things of that nature.