Can I Swap A Drive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PHX
  • Start date Start date
P

PHX

Hi all,

I purchased a new computer last year with Vista installed. I removed the HD
from my old computer (a Gateway Pro V800 SE, Pentium III) to use for backups
on my new machine.

My Mom has a hand-me-down Dell Dimension XPS, Pentium II running Win2K Pro
she uses as an email machine. Can I remove her Maxtor 91152D8 HD and
install it in the Gateway to take advantage of the better electronics? Do I
chance frying something? Will it boot and run or will I need some
interaction with MS?

Thanks for any ideas.
 
You will need a copy of your Gateway drivers disk handy, hopefully with
Windows 2k compatible drivers on it. Windows 2k on the Dell is not set up
to use the same motherboard and hardware as your Gateway. At the worst you
will have to boot into Safe Mode or VGA Mode in order to be able to install
the Gateway drivers. Then all should be well.

If the Gateway originally came with XP installed, then things may be more
complicated. Check the Gateway support site for availability of Windows 2k
drivers. Or you may want to install XP. That should be easy if you have a
recover disk that came with the Gateway. Some OEM recover programs wipe the
hard disk first. If you are going that route don't forget to back up all
the user files on the Dell first.

Earle
 
PHX said:
Hi all,

I purchased a new computer last year with Vista installed. I removed the HD
from my old computer (a Gateway Pro V800 SE, Pentium III) to use for backups
on my new machine.

My Mom has a hand-me-down Dell Dimension XPS, Pentium II running Win2K Pro
she uses as an email machine. Can I remove her Maxtor 91152D8 HD and
install it in the Gateway to take advantage of the better electronics? Do I
chance frying something?
Click to expand...


There should be no hardware issues, unless you cross some wires or
something. The hard drives are quite likely to be physically
interchangeable.

Will it boot and run or will I need some
interaction with MS?
Click to expand...

With Microsoft, no.

You will, however, most likely need to (at the very least) perform a
repair installation of Win2K to adapt it to the new hardware platform.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations and
licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before
starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the old
one (same chipset, IDE/SCSI controllers, etc), you'll most likely need
to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very
least (and don't forget to reinstall any service packs and subsequent
hot fixes):

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

What an In-Place Win2K Upgrade Changes and What It Doesn't
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306952

If that fails:

How to Move a Windows 2000 Installation to Different Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q249694&ID=KB;EN-US;Q249694



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Earle said:
You will need a copy of your Gateway drivers disk handy, hopefully with
Windows 2k compatible drivers on it. Windows 2k on the Dell is not set up
to use the same motherboard and hardware as your Gateway. At the worst you
will have to boot into Safe Mode or VGA Mode in order to be able to install
the Gateway drivers.
Click to expand...


"At the worst?" Quite the contrary, that would be about the best and
simplest situation the OP can hope for. Most likely, he'll need to
perform, at the very least, a repair installation of Win2K.

How to Move a Windows 2000 Installation to Different Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q249694&ID=KB;EN-US;Q249694



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Thanks for the information. Next time I'm over her house I'll see if my
sister gave her the retail Win2K disk. Will the repair install let the new
hardware recognize the OS?
 
PHX said:
Thanks for the information. Next time I'm over her house I'll see if my
sister gave her the retail Win2K disk. Will the repair install let the
new hardware recognize the OS?
Click to expand...

A repair install allows the OS to recognize the new/different hardware.
 
PHX said:
Thanks for the information. Next time I'm over her house I'll see if my
sister gave her the retail Win2K disk. Will the repair install let the new
hardware recognize the OS?
Click to expand...

No, but it'll enable the OS to recognize the new hardware.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Back
Top