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kwokwai · 01-02-2006, 10:14 AM

I have just purchased a brand-new PC with one 40GB hard disk. I am considering to unplug one of the hard-disk that has XP installed, and then plug it to the new PC.

Do you think it can boot up or I have to reinstall the Windows?

bear · 01-02-2006, 10:25 AM

It should start, but there may be complications. For one, different devices installed on the new one may require a bit of fussing to get installed, and XP might complain about needing to be reactivated (major hardware changes often set off the activation).

Good news is, XP will probably see most of the new hardware and install automatically.

kwokwai · 01-02-2006, 12:14 PM

Did you try this "experiment" before?

bear · 01-02-2006, 12:40 PM

Yes, I have. There's no reason the HDD wouldn't work, and as long as the hardware supports the drive, it should run. As for XP, it will see the change in environment as massive hardware changes (it won't know it's in a new case, only that the environment has changed), and that will likely trigger the activation.

kwokwai · 01-02-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bear

Yes, I have. There's no reason the HDD wouldn't work, and as long as the hardware supports the drive, it should run. As for XP, it will see the change in environment as massive hardware changes (it won't know it's in a new case, only that the environment has changed), and that will likely trigger the activation.

So, how long has your system run in the good condition before failed?

How about the BIOS, Drive for Sound and Vedio, I think they must be reinstalled because these new hadrwares are different from those in the old PC!

bear · 01-02-2006, 01:55 PM

How long has my system run after doing this? Still running. It's been 2 years.

BIOS is contained on the motherboard (if not, you'd not be able to run the computer at all, and install the OS). Chances are XP has the drivers for sound and audio, since it comes with a pretty large library of drivers, and the common motherboards are all using similar components. Basic drivers are all that's needed in that case.

kwokwai · 01-03-2006, 02:07 AM

thanks for your lesson...

mind like a steel trap

01-02-2006, 10:14 AM	#1
kwokwai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 504	new PC I have just purchased a brand-new PC with one 40GB hard disk. I am considering to unplug one of the hard-disk that has XP installed, and then plug it to the new PC. Do you think it can boot up or I have to reinstall the Windows? __________________ It was Sailormoon who said, 'You are not alone'.

01-02-2006, 10:25 AM	#2
bear Admin Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,129	Re: new PC It should start, but there may be complications. For one, different devices installed on the new one may require a bit of fussing to get installed, and XP might complain about needing to be reactivated (major hardware changes often set off the activation). Good news is, XP will probably see most of the new hardware and install automatically. __________________ . Quality Web Hosting and Design: Woollybear Web Please keep help and support questions in the public forums. Tech questions submitted by PM will not be answered.

01-02-2006, 12:14 PM	#3
kwokwai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 504	Re: new PC Did you try this "experiment" before? __________________ It was Sailormoon who said, 'You are not alone'.

01-02-2006, 12:40 PM	#4
bear Admin Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,129	Re: new PC Yes, I have. There's no reason the HDD wouldn't work, and as long as the hardware supports the drive, it should run. As for XP, it will see the change in environment as massive hardware changes (it won't know it's in a new case, only that the environment has changed), and that will likely trigger the activation. __________________ . Quality Web Hosting and Design: Woollybear Web Please keep help and support questions in the public forums. Tech questions submitted by PM will not be answered.

01-02-2006, 01:55 PM	#6
bear Admin Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,129	Re: new PC How long has my system run after doing this? Still running. It's been 2 years. BIOS is contained on the motherboard (if not, you'd not be able to run the computer at all, and install the OS). Chances are XP has the drivers for sound and audio, since it comes with a pretty large library of drivers, and the common motherboards are all using similar components. Basic drivers are all that's needed in that case. __________________ . Quality Web Hosting and Design: Woollybear Web Please keep help and support questions in the public forums. Tech questions submitted by PM will not be answered.

01-03-2006, 02:07 AM	#7
kwokwai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 504	Re: new PC thanks for your lesson... mind like a steel trap __________________ It was Sailormoon who said, 'You are not alone'.

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