Solved Moving HD to new computer

[Rob795]

Thanks in advance for any help. I am building a new computer and want to move my Primary HD from my old computer to the new one. I have Windows 7 HP 64 bit OEM. Main question is- I have one partition on my drive and have moved all files I want to save to the secondary partition. Can I format the Primary C partition and move the drive to the new computer. Will it read the primary and allow me to reinstall my Windows OS while still retaining my secondary partition? Or should I just count on losing my secondary partition and formatting the entire drive before moving it to the new computer?

 

[gregrocker]

As long as you don't touch the data partition during reinstall to C, then your data should be safe although there should always be a backup since any hard drive can fail.

You can also Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD.

When you change the mobo retail OEM will require reactivation. Normally you cannot use the same license once its been activated on another mobo, but we hear about MS making exceptions when pleaded during phone activation. Let us know how this goes. Activate Windows 7 by Phone - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Rob795]

Thank you Greg

Appreciate the fast response. I will look into the Paragon software and either way, will let you know. Thanks again.

 

[Rob795]

Switch went very smooth

HI Greg, thanks again for advice. I tried booting up with my original drive as it came out of the old computer. New comp MB software took it in stride. Updated drivers from Gigabyte disk for the new
hardware and new machine is running great. I received the notification to reactivate Win 7 from MS and it reactivated online with now problem. Have to think since the OEM was initially installed on the drive I switched, untouched, it allowed the change to the new hardware. Thanks again.

 

[gregrocker]

Good news, Rob.

Be sure to also Enable hardware auto-updating via Windows Update (Steps 3 and 6) then Check for Updates and install all Important and Optional, with reboots, until no more are offered. This is how a driver-complete OS delivers the drivers it wants, and vital patches so that the new hardware as well as software you have installed run correctly.