Switching XP hard drives

[Kim]

I just bought a new computer with a fresh copy of XP. My old computer has
an OEM version of XP. Can I switch hard drives? Will I get asked for a
product key and can I enter the product key from the new computers XP? Is
this going to work? Thanks for your help.

 

[Lindsay]

You cannot do this. XP will simply not start. It's because of the change of
motherboard. You can change everything except that.

 

[Tim Slattery]

I just bought a new computer with a fresh copy of XP. My old computer has
an OEM version of XP. Can I switch hard drives?

No. OEM versions are locked to the computer they were originally
installed on. OEM copies that come pre-installed are generally locked
to the BIOS on the computer's motherboard, making it absolutely
impossible to transplant a disk, as you want to do.

 

[Lindsay]

It makes no difference if it's OEM or not. Even a non-OEM version will
refuse. I tried one day to see what would happen. Nothing.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

It makes no difference if it's OEM or not. Even a non-OEM version will
refuse. I tried one day to see what would happen. Nothing.

No, not quite true. A repair installation generally corrects that
problem.

 

[Keith Miller]

As other replies have indicated, this will not work. What is it you want to do? I'm guessing
moving info from the old to the new computer. If so, check out help & support for info on the files
& settings transfer wizard or install the old hard drive as a slave in your new computer long enough
to copy your info.

Keith

 

[Alex Nichol]

I just bought a new computer with a fresh copy of XP. My old computer has
an OEM version of XP. Can I switch hard drives? Will I get asked for a
product key and can I enter the product key from the new computers XP? Is
this going to work?

No - for two reasons. One is that the two systems will be licensed only
to the respective machines and locked to their BIOSes, the other that
the installations would probably not be matched to the other hardware
anyway, especially if one is a highly proprietary machine like a Compaq