old HDD in new computer

[rOuLdpH]

I just ordered a my first PC build from newegg and i was planing on using my old hard drive and i was wondering if I might run into any problems. im assuming its just plug and play but with everything changing im thinking windows might just "FREAK OUT". is there a guide or can someone tell me how i can accomplish this properly?

Old PC:
Dell 4600
intell P4
9800pro
generic dell mobo
generic RAM 512MB
Western Digital 200G HDD ( WD200JB ) Caviar SE (W/ Windows XP Pro SP3)<------OLD HDD


NEW PC:
evga 750i sli ftw
E8400 3.0ghz
G. Skill 4G RAM
GTX 260 FTW
Anandtech's recommend OCZ EliteXStream OCZ800EXS 800W PSU

 

[minendo]

What OS is installed on it? Personally, I would format it and start with a fresh install of the OS.

 

[TheKub]

Before you pull the drive out remove all the hardware from the device device manager as well as uninstalling any other hardware related software in add remove programs. Put the drive in the new machine and power up. Windows will probably tell you it needs to be activated again because of all the changed hardware. Do that and install your new drivers and you should be good to go.

I said "should" doing this can cause some issues and a fresh install is always preferred.

 

[rOuLdpH]

a New install would be preferred but i lost my keys for the copy of XP corp edt i have.

New thought tho....i do have a partition in witch i put all my important stuff on. if i can find thows keys, maybe i can reformat the partition with the OS in it and reinstall so then i think i can keep the stuff in that other partition.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: rOuLdpH
a New install would be preferred but i lost my keys for the copy of XP corp edt i have.

New thought tho....i do have a partition in witch i put all my important stuff on. if i can find thows keys, maybe i can reformat the partition with the OS in it and reinstall so then i think i can keep the stuff in that other partition.

Yes it is possible but I have seen people delete the wrong partition which is fairly easy to do

 

[bruceb]

You can use things like Everest Home Edition or Belarc Advisor to get your License Keys from the existing computer drive. Provided of course,
that the drive is still in a working computer and can be accessed.

 

[robisbell]

did you change the IDE controller in windows on the old machine to a generic default one, of not, then the only recourse is to use the old drive as a secondary drive.