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Migrating a hard drive to a new computer

T

ThreeDollarBill

Member
I'm upgrading everything in my computer except the hard drive. I'm pretty sure that I'll have to reinstall windows because of the new motherboard. My question is: Do I have to wipe my hard drive? Can I just get away with deleting the windows directory and keeping all of the other stuff on there? I realize that I'll have to reinstall all of the software but at least I get to keep the non-software stuff.

Sound feasible?

Thanks.
 
Deleting the windows directory won't do much or anything, except make the drive non-functioning.

If you want to keep the os, and its not XP, try removing your mother board drivers (uninstall them) and then do your switchover, one piece at a time starting with the new motherboard, and install the new driver.

If non XP
I.e.
Uninstall the motherboard drivers
Take everything out
Put the new motherboard (CPU, RAM also) in and connect it to the hard driver, cd-rom, floppy and video card.
Restart the new system
Install the new motherboard's drivers
Once that is ok, insert your other cards/devices and install them.

Since XP automatically recognizes most hardware and has drivers for it, you might just try a cold switch.


Otherwise, back up what you want to keep. Since your already talking about reinstalling windows and software, just backup the otherstuff using norton ghost, a second drive, or CDR.
 
Well, am I glad I asked! Saved me the trouble of reinstalling the OS! 😀

I read another post that said you had to reinstall the OS if you switched motherboards; that's how the idea got into my head.

Your idea sounds more reasonable although my motherboard pre-dates motherboard drivers...

Thanks!
 
NOTE: It never hurts to backup important files, regarless of what your are doing to the system.

So I would suggest making sure, if you have a CD-R drive, that you backup what ever is most important too you. As change overs sometimes get a mind of their own and crash by no fault of our own (or so we think)
 
Um... what operating system are you talking about? Kinda makes a difference here.

Hint: if it's NT4, you'll probably have to reinstall. 🙂
 
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