Windows 7: Moving HDD to New Computer from Old Computer

benjy206 · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

You can use that as a data drive no problem. If a operating system is on the hard you would want to make sure it is not marked as active ( Partition - Mark as Active )

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

That's great news. Can a drive be changed to another designation, assuming it's marked as active?

Basically just make it not active and that should work when used in the new PC. But I always do a backup of my files and do a clean install

AddRAM · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by Dsprague

Yes because you have a retail license key you can move the hard drive from one computer to another, weather the OS will agree with the new computer or not is a thing that is debatable.

That's interesting.

I'm hoping to upgrade from a Pentium 4 to something more up-to-date.

Is this possible - can I simply move the old hard drive to the new machine, and use that as a data drive?

Rob

A big YES !!

AddRAM · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by benjy206

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

You can use that as a data drive no problem. If a operating system is on the hard you would want to make sure it is not marked as active ( Partition - Mark as Active )

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

That's great news. Can a drive be changed to another designation, assuming it's marked as active?

Basically just make it not active and that should work when used in the new PC. But I always do a backup of my files and do a clean install

It should be fromatted, no reason to keep it like that with wasted space on it. Get the files off it, format it.

benjy206 · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by AddRAM

It should be fromatted, no reason to keep it like that with wasted space on it. Get the files off it, format it.

For sure

That is what I always do. Do it all the time on my own system just to clean the HD

AddRAM · 09 Apr 2013

Batta Bing

and if you`re in no rush and really want it done, run the cleanall command or I`ll use ccleaner to wipe the free space, takes awhile but who cares , right ?

FH Rob · 09 Apr 2013

I need to clarify three important points:

1 - When we say "Data" we're talking about files other than Program files. Am I correct here?

2 - In all cases when migrating from Computer A to Computer B, must your program files be reinstalled?

3 - Do you copy the data files to the new computer first, or install the programs on the new computer, and then copy the data files?

Thanks

Rob

FH Rob · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by AddRAM

Batta Bing

and if you`re in no rush and really want it done, run the cleanall command or I`ll use ccleaner to wipe the free space, takes awhile but who cares , right ?

Are you running ccleaner before formatting or after?

benjy206 · 09 Apr 2013

Were not talking about programs just your own data files.

AddRAM · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by FH Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by AddRAM

Batta Bing

and if you`re in no rush and really want it done, run the cleanall command or I`ll use ccleaner to wipe the free space, takes awhile but who cares , right ?

Are you running ccleaner before formatting or after?

It`s all the same thing, it formats it.

FH Rob · 09 Apr 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by benjy206

Were not talking about programs just your own data files.

Benjy:

OK. So what you're saying is copy the data files from your programs, such as downloaded content from your game programs.

Install the programs and any updates on the new machine, and then copy the data files onto the new machine.

Am I on the right track here?

Rob