How to transfer hard drive to another computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have a hard drive with Vista on it and want to transfer this hard drive to
another computer that has a bad hard drive. What do I need to do besides
replacing the old drive with the new? I get an error after putting in the new
drive. The two computers are not identical.
 
pwc said:
I have a hard drive with Vista on it and want to transfer this hard drive
to
another computer that has a bad hard drive. What do I need to do besides
replacing the old drive with the new? I get an error after putting in the
new
drive. The two computers are not identical.
Click to expand...

Let's just recap. Are you saying you have Vista on a HDD in a perfectly good
and working computer AND you want to take out the HDD and put it in a
computer that has a u/so HDD?
 
The computer with Vista the motherboard went bad. So I would like to put the
HDD in another computer that the HDD went bad on.
 
You will have to reinstall vista on the HDD in the new computer. If you have
a backup of your files & settings this will be easy.
 
The computer with Vista the motherboard went bad. So I would like to put
the
HDD in another computer that the HDD went bad on.
Click to expand...

If it's an OEM version it can't be moved to a different computer per the
license. The license dies when the computer dies. If it's OEM install the
drive as the only drive in another computer, boot from the Vista
installation DVD and run the startup repair. You may have to run it several
times.
 
pwc said:
I have a hard drive with Vista on it and want to transfer this hard drive to
another computer that has a bad hard drive. What do I need to do besides
replacing the old drive with the new? I get an error after putting in the new
drive. The two computers are not identical.
Click to expand...


You can't do this practically. Windows will complain about activation
but far worse is the fact that you will have mostly the wrong drivers
installed for the rest of the hardware.
 
pwc said:
I have a hard drive with Vista on it and want to transfer this hard drive
to
another computer that has a bad hard drive. What do I need to do besides
replacing the old drive with the new? I get an error after putting in the
new
drive. The two computers are not identical.
Click to expand...

Have you tried booting from the Vista DVD and select Repair?
 
You can't do this practically. Windows will complain about activation but
far worse is the fact that you will have mostly the wrong drivers
installed for the rest of the hardware.
Click to expand...

Charlie, this can be done. I have seen several posts in here where the OP
did this because they swapped out a motherboard and/or other hardware.
Running Startup Repair from the Vista DVD seems to have handled the issue
well, sometimes requiring it to be run several times in succession, per
these posters. Of course it will require activation, usually by telephone.
 
Hello "Rock' and all -
This is the best news I've heard so far -
I have an HP that I did an upgrade install from XP Media center to a
purchased version of Vista Home P - upgrade - The install went flawlessly -
I now have purchased an Intel Quad Core and 680i MB / 4 gig mem - JUST TO
RUN FSX at a decent frame rate...............
I have read so many threads about re-install - clean install - can't be done
- don't do it - will never work - on and on and on -
I did a mb and chip replacement in XP - ran sysprep - ONLY hooked up the
hard drive and fired up - had to reactivate - then one by one added other
hardware and their drivers.................

So, "Rock" - IF I am to understand what you're saying - 1. Have drivers
ready in a folder - Change MB / Chip / - Boot up - WITH Vista DVD and do a
"Startup Repair" - Then re-activate - of course, then make sure drivers are
up-dated.
PLEASE tell me this is SO - Thanks to you and all in advance
cthiggin
 
Rock said:
Charlie, this can be done. I have seen several posts in here where the
OP did this because they swapped out a motherboard and/or other
hardware. Running Startup Repair from the Vista DVD seems to have
handled the issue well, sometimes requiring it to be run several times
in succession, per these posters. Of course it will require activation,
usually by telephone.
Click to expand...


That's why I added "Practically". After running "Repair" several times
how do you know what you are left with?

My experience is that after installing the drive the activation issue
arises. After re activating the drivers problem arises, often bringing
with it hardware compatibility problems that take longer to resolve (if
at all) than a clean install. Since the OP must have a CD to do the
repair process I would think it easier to try a clean install first, if
only to see what failed.
 
Back
Top