Transfering a HDD with an OS to a new computer - ?

Serien

Hey all, long time no see.

 

I've been in a treatment program for the past couple of months so I have been unable to continue my studies, now that I need to, my computer has absolutley fried.

I was wondering, I have pulled the HDD from my old computer (which contained Windows XP Office SP1) on it - if I were to purchase a computer without an OS already installed, would I just be able to stick in the my old HDD as the primary and "plug and play"?

I'm hoping it will work, of course, I don't want to try it without asking you guys.

Thanks in advance, and nice talking to you guys again,

 

Murt

n25philly

Can you do that?  Sure you can.



Let me put it this way though.  There is an easy way to do things and then there is the right way.  What you are suggesting definately is not the right way to do it.

grimweeper

Wow really really long time no see.  Welcome back



Yea you can but as soon as you do uninstall all your old drivers and instal the new ones... becouse im guessing you have upgraded and got different parts.   But you can always just buy a new hdd format it and just transfer everything from the old one onto the new one.

lomiller

It will only work if your hardware is basically identical. There are some drivers that need to be loaded for the machine to even boot and if the hardware is changed these will no longer run.  It’s possible you could put the drive in a new system and run a repair install to get it going.  

JADEDRAG0N

Actully not sure but it really depends on how many times yuo upgraded the ahrdware on your last computer before the computer got busted. you see Bill gates ahs introduced a feature to his XP operating systems where if you upgrade your computer say 3 times it stops working and you have to buy a new OS. This is also a feature with Vista. So its possable that when you plug in the hard drive in your new system it will register it as a different computer and jsut say sorry i wont work now buy a new OS.

 

I mean really doesant Bill gates ahve enough of ower cash already?

grimweeper

Originally posted by lomiller


It will only work if your hardware is basically identical. There are some drivers that need to be loaded for the machine to even boot and if the hardware is changed these will no longer run.  It’s possible you could put the drive in a new system and run a repair install to get it going.  

Not necessarily true windows has default basic drivers that will work on all hardware, just in case it notices that the loaded drivers do not work with the hardware (look at it this way everytime you get a fresh format there are no drivers installed but your computer still boots up and works doesnt it)  It will most likely work

grimweeper

Originally posted by JADEDRAG0N


Actully not sure but it really depends on how many times yuo upgraded the ahrdware on your last computer before the computer got busted. you see Bill gates ahs introduced a feature to his XP operating systems where if you upgrade your computer say 3 times it stops working and you have to buy a new OS. This is also a feature with Vista. So its possable that when you plug in the hard drive in your new system it will register it as a different computer and jsut say sorry i wont work now buy a new OS.
 
I mean really doesant Bill gates ahve enough of ower cash already?

It is not in XP and was supposte to be in vista but they scratched the idea becouse they knew they would be loosing a huge portion of their customers which is made up of computer enthusiasts who like to upgrade alot.

JADEDRAG0N

Originally posted by grimweeper

Originally posted by JADEDRAG0N


Actully not sure but it really depends on how many times yuo upgraded the ahrdware on your last computer before the computer got busted. you see Bill gates ahs introduced a feature to his XP operating systems where if you upgrade your computer say 3 times it stops working and you have to buy a new OS. This is also a feature with Vista. So its possable that when you plug in the hard drive in your new system it will register it as a different computer and jsut say sorry i wont work now buy a new OS.
 
I mean really doesant Bill gates ahve enough of ower cash already?

It is not in XP and was supposte to be in vista but they scratched the idea becouse they knew they would be loosing a huge portion of their customers which is made up of computer enthusiasts who like to upgrade alot.

Really? you sure?

If so then great becasue i really hated that idea can you provide a link for me to read.