Super Newbie Here: Can I swap a hard drive from one Comp to build a new Comp?

[borri]

Okay. Simple question:

Comp 1 has a HD that has windows xp installed. If I want to build a new comp, can I just take out the HD from Comp 1 and put it in the new comp. Will it work? Will it boot?

Pretty much: new mobo, cpu etc. But old HD from an old comp. Doing so to avoid having to buy a new OS.


Thanks in advance.

 

[SergeC]

No. All the drivers will be completely wrong, and it will not boot.

It's theoretically possible to fix it through the repair console, but it's 10000% easier to just reformat and start over.

 

[borri]

Originally posted by: SergeC
No. All the drivers will be completely wrong, and it will not boot.

It's theoretically possible to fix it through the repair console, but it's 10000% easier to just reformat and start over.

Damn. And I lost my stinking XP restore disc that came with my old Dell. That's an extra 100$ bucks for an OS for a new build.

Kicking myself right now!!!

 

[bruceb]

Legally, the Dell OS, an OEM copy of Windows XP is tied to the original Dell it came with.
Also the Dell OS CD does a BIOS check to be sure it is installing on a Dell computer. So
if it is not being used on another Dell Motherboard, then legally you would be in violation
of Microsoft EULA for an OEM copy of XP .. If this is the case, you need to purchase a new
copy (XP OEM will be fine) for your new build.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: SergeC
No. All the drivers will be completely wrong, and it will not boot.

It's theoretically possible to fix it through the repair console, but it's 10000% easier to just reformat and start over.

I believe you may be over stating on the difficulty. If your first boot is into safe-mode and you delete all of the hardware (or do it in the old machine before pulling it) it will likely work fine (after you install the new drivers of course). I wouldn't normally recommend that as it can cause some random system issues and a fresh install is always the preferred method.

I've done it a handful of times though out the years and only once did I have to run a "repair" install to get the machine to boot.

But what the other poster said about the license is true.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you call Dell and ask nicely, there's a really good chance that Dell will send you a CD set. As noted, it's a violation of Microsoft/Dell's OEM license to move the license to a different PC.

You will be denied online Activation on any copy of Dell OEM XP that is installed on a non-Dell PC. You'll have to call Microsoft to Activate the installation. Microsoft isn't required to Activate a Dell version of XP on a non-Dell PC.

 

[robisbell]

you can, just have to either set all the motherboard, and hdd controllers to a MS default. it's tricky, but it can be done, but I always recommend to backup all data and do a fresh install of the OS.