How to transfer a HD from one computer to another - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

Smokin-Oakin · 12-05-08, 07:22 AM

Hi, I am trying to move a HD from one computer to another. It has a genuine copy of windows xp me on it, and I lost the original disk, so I can't do a fresh install.

When I put it into the new computer, the operating systme wont load properly, unless I hit F8 and enable vga mode. Then when it loads the operating system, it asks to activate windows over the phone.

Is there any way of getting around this? Thanks in advance!

dandnsmith · 12-05-08, 07:44 AM

You have 2 problems here.
1. convincing Msoft that you can validly take the OS to a new PC (it is against the terms of the licence), and you will have to use the phone for this.
2. convincing the OS to cooperate on the new hardware. If it isn't an identical motherboard, graphics card and so on, then your main hope would be to do a repair from the XP installation CD.

Catch22?

Rojo · 12-05-08, 09:00 AM

As far as I'm aware, you'll need the original XP disc to move the hard drive properly. The OS is configured to your old system so you need to do a repair/in-place-upgrade off the disk.

If you can boot in to VGA mode, you could try scanning the system for changes and that might get it working ok. Will probably be be a bit flakey though. For the activation code, just call MS and get them to give it to you. Tell them you had to reinstall XP on the same computer you orginally bought as the licence will probably only be for that PC.

Jimdefruit · 12-05-08, 11:25 AM

Telephone MS and say you have had to replace your motherboard and are keeping the existing hard drive and can you reactivate windows please.

Is the operating system XP or ME? If it is ME then you would be better off upgrading to XP or Vista anyway.

bruceybonus · 13-05-08, 12:12 AM

theres a little program called sysprep which strips out all the mobo drivers, run this ( miniseal option ) then transfer your hard drive and boot up, it will think its a new pc!..

or

boot into safe mode and remove all the ide, vga drivers so its just seeing the windows ones, then move the hd , reboot and reinstall the drivers once it has loaded up

12-05-08, 07:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Smokin-Oakin Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How to transfer a HD from one computer to another Hi, I am trying to move a HD from one computer to another. It has a genuine copy of windows xp me on it, and I lost the original disk, so I can't do a fresh install. When I put it into the new computer, the operating systme wont load properly, unless I hit F8 and enable vga mode. Then when it loads the operating system, it asks to activate windows over the phone. Is there any way of getting around this? Thanks in advance!

12-05-08, 07:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
dandnsmith Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Berks, Uk Posts: 166 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts	Re: How to transfer a HD from one computer to another You have 2 problems here. 1. convincing Msoft that you can validly take the OS to a new PC (it is against the terms of the licence), and you will have to use the phone for this. 2. convincing the OS to cooperate on the new hardware. If it isn't an identical motherboard, graphics card and so on, then your main hope would be to do a repair from the XP installation CD. Catch22? __________________ Derek

12-05-08, 09:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rojo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 157 Thanks: 9 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: How to transfer a HD from one computer to another As far as I'm aware, you'll need the original XP disc to move the hard drive properly. The OS is configured to your old system so you need to do a repair/in-place-upgrade off the disk. If you can boot in to VGA mode, you could try scanning the system for changes and that might get it working ok. Will probably be be a bit flakey though. For the activation code, just call MS and get them to give it to you. Tell them you had to reinstall XP on the same computer you orginally bought as the licence will probably only be for that PC.

12-05-08, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: How to transfer a HD from one computer to another Telephone MS and say you have had to replace your motherboard and are keeping the existing hard drive and can you reactivate windows please. Is the operating system XP or ME? If it is ME then you would be better off upgrading to XP or Vista anyway. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

13-05-08, 12:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
bruceybonus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How to transfer a HD from one computer to another theres a little program called sysprep which strips out all the mobo drivers, run this ( miniseal option ) then transfer your hard drive and boot up, it will think its a new pc!.. or boot into safe mode and remove all the ide, vga drivers so its just seeing the windows ones, then move the hd , reboot and reinstall the drivers once it has loaded up

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