Can I put the HD from computer X to computer Y?

[AgentZap]

I am upgrading from an Intel based system to a new AMD system I am building.

I want to just take the hard drive from the intel system and use it as the main hard drive for my new computer. This way I won't have to do a new install of Windows and all my software.

Will XP allow that or will I have major problems because of all the different hardware in the new system?

 

[GFBeach]

You'd have to install drivers for whatever's in your new computer, and I would think that it'd have some pret-ty bad conflicts with the drivers already on your hard drive. You're probably better off doing a clean reformat and reinstall.

 

[theMan]

no. i tried to do that with my new build. windows would start to load, and then i would get a BSOD that said "inaccessable boot device". its a pain, but you will have to format, and install.

 

[Denithor]

Actually you can work around this, it's just a little pain in the kiester. Thusly:

1) Install all hardware.
2) Fire up for first time and just make sure that Windows won't load correctly (typically won't going from Pentium system to AMD system, although it is more an issue of different chipset drivers than the cpu itself). This is a no brainer, just sanity check, because if Windows loads you are in business with no further work.
3) If Windows fails to load, such as you get the "inaccessible drive" BSOD, boot from your Windows disc and go into the second repair function (you have to select your current partition on the screen). This will delete the Windows OS files from the hard drive, the go back through the setup steps like normal. The advantage, however, is that you don't lose any files or programs doing this, it does not (let me repeat that, does not) format your hard drive during this process and once completed you have a fresh install of Windows with everything intact. I have done this twice now on customers' systems and it works flawlessly. The only thing to keep in mind is that you cannot change the Windows install type (don't try to upgrade from Home to Pro for example).

If you need further assistance let me know, I am learning this as I go but am happy to share with others!

 

[Mrpilot007]

You will have more issues down the road if you do not do a new install. Each CPU has unique instructions. It is almost always a given to backup what you want and do a fresh install. You will spend more time fixing errors (in my opinion) than just going ahead and doing a fresh install.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

I'm an IT tech and I do this all the time (business clients can't always afford to have a mission critical system's OS wiped and re-installed.

If it's WinXP you can almost always swap mobos successfully (don't even bother trying this with Win2K). You MUST do a Windows REPAIR install after installing the new mobo. Instructions here: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

NOTE: If the XP installer does not detect your HDD then you must place the HDD Controller drivers on a FLOPPY disk (MUST be on a floppy, not a CD or on the HDD). When the XP installer boots, press F6 to indicate you have HDD controller drivers to install. After a while it'll prompt you for the floppy.

The repair install wipes the entire Device Manager and performs a complete re-install of all WinXP core files and redetects all devices and loads drivers.

After the repair install, all your apps and data will still be there, and your desktop will look like it always did.

BE AWARE that a repair install resets the OS back to the version on the CD (if the CD is SP1 then the reapired OS will be SP1 and you'll need to install SP2 later). You will also have to install ALL the latest security patches again.

Good luck.

 

[Saga]

If you repair do you have to activate again? I've changed around software so many times I had to call in on my last reinstall. Starting to think if I end up having to call in again they'll just say screw off your scamming us. =O

 

[Mrpilot007]

Flying Penguin. good point. I did not realize that the repair install could be used for that reason. Sounds like a great option. I have done this before. The only thing I absolutely hate is that I forgot to rename my "my documents" folder and windows found it on a second drive not even related to the install. It erased it!

I guess I was thinking you were saying that you were going to just move the equipment over and hope everything just works

 

[FlyingPenguin]

If you repair do you have to activate again?

Normally no, if it was a repair with the same hardware, but you'll have to activate again because you've changed the mobo. So yes, after the repair the activation countdown will start. You'll probably be able to do it via the Internet (MS lets you slide on the first 4 or 5). Worst case they make you call and you just tell them you upgraded the mobo. It's no problem.

They will NEVER refuse you an activation unless you admit to violating the EULA (for instance, by admitting you've installed that key on more than one currently used system). I know IT people like me who change their hardware every 4 months. Believe me, it's not an issue.

You start doing 20 activations a week, and yeah they might start asking some pointed questions...

 

[AgentZap]

Unfortunately, that didn't work. I first tried slipstreaming with XP SP2, but I don't think the slipstreamer works very well as setup couldnt find any of the files it needed past 8%. I then just tried doing a repair install using the normal SP1 disc and that completed, but I still got bluescreens trying to enter windows.

Ah well Was worth a shot