Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Computer help forum: Can I swap my harddrive with Windows XP to a new computer?

by: SleepyChoco July 30, 2007 9:13 PM PDT

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Can I swap my harddrive with Windows XP to a new computer?

by SleepyChoco - 7/30/07 9:13 PM

Hi, I want to swap my harddrive, which holds Windows XP, from my old computer to my new computer. I heard that you cannot do that becuase it will not detect it. Is it true? or will Windows detect the new hardware changes and reinstall everything?


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Generally Not...

by Grif Thomas Moderator - 7/30/07 9:30 PM

In Reply to: Can I swap my harddrive with Windows XP to a new computer? by SleepyChoco

I'm assuming the computers are NOT identical and as such, the hardware and motherboard drivers won't be found correctly and you'll need to reinstall XP for everything to be recognized .. And then, if you try to reinstall XP using the same product key, it won't be able to validate because you've got different hardware for the same. Still, if it's a full retail version of XP, (OEM versions won't do this), you might be able to contact Microsoft and get them to issue a new product key because you've moved the operating system to a new machine... Maybe..

Hope this helps.

Grif


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

No harddrive swap, then what?

by SleepyChoco - 7/30/07 11:06 PM

In Reply to: Generally Not... by Grif Thomas Moderator

Ohh... I see. Well, if i cannot swap harddrives, what can I do? How can I get my information from one hard drive into another?


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

You can connect it as a slave...

by John.Wilkinson Moderator - 7/30/07 11:19 PM

In Reply to: No harddrive swap, then what? by SleepyChoco

Leave the one hard drive connected, but connect the other as a slave internally or place it in an external hard drive enclosure and connect it via USB. You can then boot to Windows on the original hard drive but still access your files on the other drive, copying them over. Just remember to take ownership as necessary.

Hope this helps,
John


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Thanks

by SleepyChoco - 7/31/07 12:06 AM

In Reply to: You can connect it as a slave... by John.Wilkinson Moderator

Thank you everyone for your help.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close