Re-use a HD?

[RoWin7]

Just got to this and bumped it up for questions. See my last post, #7.

I believe I saw a post at this board about reusing Computer A's HD, Windows and programs intact, in Computer B if I add Computer B's drivers to the DVD first afterward. My experience for many years was that this can't be done. Did I misread something?

 

[SIW2]

reusing Computer A's HD, Windows and programs intact, in Computer B

What dvd?

Do you mean moving an installation on a hard disk to a different machine?

Yes, it can be done.

1. It might need adjusting to new hardware. This can be done by plugging the hd into the new machine. Then use bootable media to do the adjustment.
Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

2. Windows license will need activating on the new machine

 

[iko22]

Hi,

Your superstitions were correct. In Windows Vista, and possibly Windows 7, you used to be able to set the HDD controller from the proprietary HDD controller back to a Microsoft Generic controller, then swap out the motherboard. The steps for this was broadcast on Mich Tulloc MVP website, but he has now pulled the page. I think at some point in time, Microsoft re-wrote the license agreement, preventing users from changin the Motherboard. Could be why the page was pulled.

 

[SIW2]

There is also a more recent version of free paragon available.

Download Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition 14

the iso can be copied out of RK14_free.exe using 7-zip



In addition many paid disk imaging programs have the adjust to new hardware function - Aomei, paragon, macrium, O&O etc.

 

[RoWin7]

What dvd?

Do you mean moving an installation on a hard disk to a different machine?

Yes, it can be done.

1. It might need adjusting to new hardware. This can be done by plugging the hd into the new machine. Then use bootable media to do the adjustment.
Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

2. Windows license will need activating on the new machine

Yes, I have an extra license, but I'm trying to skip installing about 50 programs, the updates and numerous OS tweaks. I goofed on "adding drivers to the ISO." I meant adding them to the HD.

 

[SIW2]

To use Rescue kit 14 iso - burn it cd/dvd. Haven't tested extracting it to usb, but posiibly something like yumi would do it.
Boot it up.

Select BOOT CORRECTOR (double click it )




Then select Search for Windows Installations and click Next



Then click the OS you want to adjust. Dot the Adjust box, and click Next

 

[RoWin7]

I just got to this, 2 months later. It's been a crazy time at work.

1--What's SYSPREP? dO I need it?

2--Please confirm: I install the old drive, then run rk14 from the usb, then correct the registry and boot.ini.

3---Run Simplix

4--When the HD finds all the new drivers on the web, how will it "know" not to use the old drivers?

5--The last image says I can edit the boot.ini file and correct the registry. Only if someone tells me what to change them to. How would I get into boot.ini? Isn't it in DOS? Will the registry make all the necessary changes by itself re: programs and preferences?

6--The bootcd_64.iso file--will that fit on a DVD?