Is it possible to put a drive with XP on it from another PC into a new PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pw
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pw

Hi,

My wife's eMachine's motherboard and/or CPU just fried on her 1+ yr
PC. I was hoping it was the power supply but that turns out not to be
the case. Thankfully the hard drive is fine (so this guy tells me).
We are under pressure and she needs a new PC immediately. So that
means we are going to have to travel to Staples or Costco (only
choices besides WalMart where we live).

And, I bet she is going to want another eMachine if possible. Can I
install the original HD as a slave in it (no doubt voiding the
warranty) even though it was the original and only Windows boot drive
on her old PC (and the Motherboard has changed - obviously)?

Thanks!

-pw

use paul at williamsonenterprises dot com for e-mail
 
No.

On OEM machines - that is machine bought with a pre-installed copy of
Windows XP - the copy of Windows that comes with your machine is tied to the
motherboard and, unlike a copy of Windows XP bought seperately, can only
ever be activatied and used with the original motherboard - your copy of
Windows XP dies with the motherboard.

If your motherboard is dead, you need to buy a new copy of Windows XP.
---
BadHead :)
---

OS: Windows XP Professional SP2 (32-bit)
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2003 Professional SP2
MoBo: Abit AN8 Fatal1ty
CPU: AMD64 3200 (Venice Core)
RAM: 2048Mb 400Ghz Patriot XBLK (4X512MB)
GPU: NVIDIA 6800 (Driver Version 78.01)
Sound: Creative Audigy X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS
 
yes you can, assuming that the new machine is an oem and
comes with XP installed (ie you do not want to use the old
drive and XP as the boot drive and operating system on the
new machine).

The old drive, possibly the memory are useable in the new
machine (assume spaces ia available)

If you wanted to build your new machine yourself and stick
the old drive in it (so that you do not have to buy a new
drive and windows xp), it is unlikely to transfer.

I assume it is "just" out of warranty, try complaining it
might get fixed under warranty as well.

I would trouble shoot the old pc further but if you need a
pc now you options may be limted

good luck
 
No.
Click to expand...

I am asking if I can install the original HD as the 2nd drive (slave)
and boot off the C drive that the new PC would come with (obviously
with it's own OEM copy of Windows XP or MED).


On OEM machines - that is machine bought with a pre-installed copy of
Windows XP - the copy of Windows that comes with your machine is tied to the
motherboard and, unlike a copy of Windows XP bought seperately, can only
ever be activatied and used with the original motherboard - your copy of
Windows XP dies with the motherboard.

If your motherboard is dead, you need to buy a new copy of Windows XP.
---
BadHead :)
---

OS: Windows XP Professional SP2 (32-bit)
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2003 Professional SP2
MoBo: Abit AN8 Fatal1ty
CPU: AMD64 3200 (Venice Core)
RAM: 2048Mb 400Ghz Patriot XBLK (4X512MB)
GPU: NVIDIA 6800 (Driver Version 78.01)
Sound: Creative Audigy X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS
Click to expand...
-pw

use paul at williamsonenterprises dot com for e-mail
 
yes you can, assuming that the new machine is an oem and
comes with XP installed (ie you do not want to use the old
drive and XP as the boot drive and operating system on the
new machine).

The old drive, possibly the memory are useable in the new
machine (assume spaces ia available)

If you wanted to build your new machine yourself and stick
the old drive in it (so that you do not have to buy a new
drive and windows xp), it is unlikely to transfer.

I assume it is "just" out of warranty, try complaining it
might get fixed under warranty as well.

I would trouble shoot the old pc further but if you need a
pc now you options may be limted

good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks Geoff. Yes, we are in crunch time (couldn't have happened at a
worse time of course). No time to build one for her, etc...


-pw

use paul at williamsonenterprises dot com for e-mail
 
that u can do select the old harddisk as slave u cannont run the os from the
old harddisk just access ur files.
 
pw said:
Thanks Geoff. Yes, we are in crunch time (couldn't have happened at a
worse time of course). No time to build one for her, etc...
Click to expand...

if the drive is OK at least you will have all your data
intact. now you can also look at that dual monitor system
with external usb or firewire to hold the HD or even the
emachine (dead) CD / DVD.

I had someone advise me that a MB was dead when I thought it
was the power supply, replaced the PS and no go, reseated
the ram into another slot, it then magically revived,
checked the bios to make sure it was all recognised and
system ran fine.

like a doctor get a second opinion unless you are sure of
the person making the claim the MB is dead.
 
if the drive is OK at least you will have all your data
intact. now you can also look at that dual monitor system
with external usb or firewire to hold the HD or even the
emachine (dead) CD / DVD.
Click to expand...

We had someone install the HD in a test machine and he copied what we
could think of onto a DVD.
I had someone advise me that a MB was dead when I thought it
was the power supply, replaced the PS and no go, reseated
the ram into another slot, it then magically revived,
checked the bios to make sure it was all recognised and
system ran fine.
Click to expand...

Good point!
like a doctor get a second opinion unless you are sure of
the person making the claim the MB is dead.
Click to expand...

Well, it was time to upgrade/update any way.

Thanks!!


-pw

use paul at williamsonenterprises dot com for e-mail
 
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