Switching hard drive and install between systems

[mats effect]

Hey,

My current pc is packed in so going to replace it but my question is, is it a big issue switching my old hard drive into the new system with windows 7 on it. I can save a lot by not having to pay for windows again as they give that option but I just wanted to know how it goes really.

When I say old the drive is actually a new one I got a few months back.


Thanks guys.

 

[Pierre50]

Hey there Mats Effect

Not sure about overseas, but here in the US we have OEM and Retail versions of MS licensing for consumers.

OEM is what most folks end up with - You will see the sticker on the computer case, it has the Windows Key on it, and if you try and peel the sticker off it will *void the warranty*. OEM is licensed to stay with the 'computer' the sticker is on till the computer dies. Then the license is dead too. OEM is Non Transfereable in the USA. I imagine it's the same everywhere, but you should check.

Retail - That is a full price full working version of Windows that can go *Anywhere* and is good till the version is "End Of Life".

Upgrade - the grey area...

Which version do you have?

Moving the hard drive to a new system - Well, I don't have the answer to this - It used to be impossible, but I have heard that some particular software can do it.

With the many different drivers that are tied into the massive registry, I would be *very* skeptical that this can be pulled off reliably. I would assume a re-install would be the only way to tackle this job.

Unless someone comes along and tells us about new software you should really start planning on a reinstall.

HTH...

 

[mats effect]

Hey.

Yea I have a retail version.

The new rig comes with a HDD too so i could pop my Win7 disk into the clean drive and install it on that and then set up the old one as a second drive?

Is there much difference when installing on a blank disk. never done that before?

Thanks

 

[Pierre50]

Hello Mats Effect,

If you are going with a new system, new hard drive - should be **>piece-o-cake!<**

Slaving the second drive should work fine to access old info... you know you will have to reinstall your software.

You might be able to clear out the old drive and use it as a backup resource or something...

Just be sure you keep your backups running!

Best of Luck on the upgrade/new system!

 

[karlsnooks]

Hey,
My current pc is packed in so going to replace it but my question is, is it a big issue switching my old hard drive into the new system with windows 7 on it. I can save a lot by not having to pay for windows again as they give that option but I just wanted to know how it goes really.
When I say old the drive is actually a new one I got a few months back.
Thanks guys.

No sweat. Just take it out of one and put into the other. If you get a MS prompt about "authenticating" or "validating", then just jump through the hoops MS presents.

 

[mats effect]

Thanks guys.

 

[karlsnooks]

Your welcome Mat and enjoy your new system.