Mr. Hahn Posted December 9, 2004 CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 Once I make my new computer, will I be able to take the hard drive with Windows on it out of my old pc and put it into my new one without having to reformat? I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm just wondering if you guys know if the new hardware would somehow mess it up or confuse it somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanBuren Posted December 9, 2004 CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 Once I make my new computer' date=' will I be able to take the hard drive with Windows on it out of my old pc and put it into my new one without having to reformat? I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm just wondering if you guys know if the new hardware would somehow mess it up or confuse it somehow.[/quote'] You probably have to reinstall win XP i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 9, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 Crap. I hate reformatting with a passion. All the redownloading and reinstalling... Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Anyway, I'll try and and let you guys know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xs1 Posted December 9, 2004 CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 uh.. from what iv heard once you put in the harddrive int he new computer, it will just poppup with all these " OMG!! NEW HARDWARE" balloons .. But im not sure. Try it and enlighten us all =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 9, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking would happen. I'm still going to backup all my important files (porn) before I try it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Reverend Posted December 9, 2004 CID Share Posted December 9, 2004 Remember that Windows has that danged Product Activation Code. When you change System Hardware, especially the whole danged computer, it is going to "buck you" about it. However, there is a neat trick that is worth trying that has worked for me twice now. In your C:WindowsSystem32 directory there is a file named wpa.dll. After you get the the old HDD stuck into your new box (computer), the Product Activation "nag" will start hollaring. So, just copy the wpa.dll file BEFORE you move it into the new computer, and then replace the wpa.dll file with your old one once installed (even though it is the very same file!) ...it just may succeed in "tricking" the WPA and you'll save yourself a small hassle. (However, in these days Online WPA Activation (NO telephone) takes less than one minute ...the days of having to call are long over for the greater majority). This is assuming you are using XP Pro or Home. I can't speak for the other O/S's ...sorry. These statements come with no warranty either expressed or implied. The Reverend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xs1 Posted December 10, 2004 CID Share Posted December 10, 2004 I'm still going to backup all my important files (porn) . lmfao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 10, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 10, 2004 These statements come with no warranty either expressed or implied. I'm still going to have your xxx (saved you the trouble Van) if it doesn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reno Posted December 10, 2004 CID Share Posted December 10, 2004 Ive tryed it before it doesn't work.Ive tryed two things.. the one you want to do and I changed a graphics card one time and I had to reinstall all the games. to fit the drivers and all that other shazz.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 10, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 10, 2004 I've upgraded video cards before with no issues. You just uninstall the old drivers, take out the old card, put the new one in, install the new drivers, and you're done. There's no reason you should have to reinstall anything but your drivers if you install a new video card. I really hope the drive swap works. It won't be for about another month. I was just wondering ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unstable Posted December 10, 2004 CID Share Posted December 10, 2004 this actually is doable. We used to do this alot with Dells and machine upgrades, using disk copy over to the new machine--boot it up, lots of pop-up baloons asking for drivers, give it the drivers and you're done. I don't do this anymore, fresh install all the way. As much as I hate installing new machines, I don't see where you'd want to take a brand spanking new box and try half-assing the OS install by swapping the disk. that's just me though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 11, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 11, 2004 How would it be half-assing it? Once you get the new drivers installed, wouldn't it be pretty much the same? I know nothing beats a reformat, but just as far as having all the files and a working OS, what would be the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICROWAVE Posted December 11, 2004 CID Share Posted December 11, 2004 I have done this several times ....but its probably not allowed....if someone was to copy the wpa file from a new machine and install the old hard drive and give it the new wpa file it is something that can work.......but the reality is with a brand new machine it is nice to start all over with a fresh O.S. and probably a larger hard drive than was in the old machine..... of course this was done by me for academic reasons only....lol Microwave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Hahn Posted December 11, 2004 Author CID Share Posted December 11, 2004 I won't have to buy a new hard drive for the new one unless I get one with higher RPM or if I decide to go RAID. I have a 200GB hard drive in my current PC, so I see no reason in buying a bigger one. Like I said, unless I go RAID, i'll let you guys know how it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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