No problem swapping hard drives between 2 new desktop computers?

[jinjen]

Sorry for this question...

Wondering if there would be any problem swapping the hdds
between a new Dell Dimension 2400 (80 gig hdd) and a new
Dell Dimension 8300 (40 gig hdd)? Same win xp home on
both, and the 2400 is a p4 2.66ghz and the 8300 a 3.0 ghz
with HT.

Besides installing the drivers for the sound/video cards, etc.,
to match, is there any other issue I need to consider?

I tried a search, but couldn't find anything relevant. If you
know of a site that deals with this issue, pls forward a link.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dennisjai215]

the hard drive that is going into the comptuer should be formatted so that you dont have to win xp and just use it to store files or whatever

thats just my opinion btw just wait for others to respond

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

First of all, a few problems will likely occur.

Windows probably won't boot due to the different motherboard, therefore different IDE controller.

Windows most likely won't properly detect the HT, and it probably won't be activated.

You would still have all your old motherboard drivers installed = no no

You may be able to do a repair install for the IDE controller difference.

The first problem is my main reason for having my windows installation on a Promise PCI card. Transplantability. Windows will still go crazy with all the new hardware, but atleast it should boot.

Maybe that all stopped a long time ago though.

 

[RickH]

You can try it. I have done it before with home built systems, but I would worry about the Dell restore disks and the OS license. It's not a good idea. R

 

[jinjen]

Thanks for the warnings.

I probably won't do it with my lack of
expertise in doing so.

BTW, I have a sealed maxtor 160 gig HDD
and wonder how I can change the current
40 giger in the Dell 8300 with the 160 giger.

Or, would you just advise to add the 160 gig
HDD as a secondary storage device?

 

[Accord99]

Image the 40GB HD and transfer it to the 160GB. Replace the 40 with 160GB with the same Primary/Secondary and Master/Slave settings and restart. Then reconnect the 40GB as a secondary drive.