Will WindowsXP transfer to New PC?

[VirusType2]

As some of you know, I am about to purchace a new CPU and motherboard.

The computer I am using now, I plan to strip down and use all the hardware from. It came with Windows XP home edition, and a System Restore Disc.

I guess what I'm saying is I don't think the restore disc contains the entire windows XP program. just enough to re-install it if I wish. Is this right? So the only way to put my copy of WindowsXP that came with my computer is to transfer the hard drive that came with my computer (WindowsXP pre-installed)

I had planned to use this hard drive anyway, for an OS hardrive, and use a 2nd hardrive of 250 GB for games and data storage.

(I plan to place the hardrive containing WindowsXP in my new computer.)

Is there any reason this cannot be done? When I finish putting together my new PC and boot it up, what will happen?

Will WindowsXP work on my new computer or will microsoft prevent me from doing this?

 

[Muhahahaha]

If you use the hard drive with Windows XP already on it in your new computer, then yes that will work fine. I don't know about system restore disc, though, so if you do that I'm not sure.

 

[gh0st]

It will work just fine as long as you use the same HDD.

 

[VirusType2]

OK great, thanks fellaz

I thought it should work.

If anyone has anything else to add thats helpfull, I apreciate it

 

[gweedodogg69]

I've never tried it before, but I'm sure XP will yell at you and say "Too much hardware has changed you need to reactivate Windows." As for ghosting XP and using it...I'm not 100% sure. I ghosted XP to a bigger HD and XP would stop booting up at the Welcome Screen. I looked up online and it said that you can't ghost XP.

 

[VirusType2]

I've never tried it before, but I'm sure XP will yell at you and say "Too much hardware has changed you need to reactivate Windows." As for ghosting XP and using it...I'm not 100% sure. I ghosted XP to a bigger HD and XP would stop booting up at the Welcome Screen. I looked up online and it said that you can't ghost XP.

Im upgrading the mobo and CPU.. Do you think thats too much hardware? Will Windows XP not work??

Reactivate windows? what do you mean? put my disc in and reformat my drive and re-install windows right? It should detect my new CPU and mobo..

One problem I'm afraid I might encounter is that when I re-install windows, since it was pre-installed, that Im pretty sure it will re-install the mobo and CPU drivers that came with my pre-built PC, but the CPU and mobo won't be installed anymore.

Any help or advice would be really welcome here.

 

[gweedodogg69]

If you just throw your current drive onto the new motherboard and CPU etc without reinstalling Windows, you will have to reactivate Windows XP with Microsoft. It's their anti-piracy thing. I had to reactivate windows when I added 2 harddrives so you never know. As for the disc that came with your previous PC I've never tried it. I believe it would install drivers for the old PC, but Windows would probably just ask for th newer drivers (video, network, etc...) If that disc doesn't work head to www.newegg.com and buy an OEM copy of either Windows XP Pro or Home Edition. I have Pro but either one will work.

 

[oni_666]

A lot of shop bought pc's that use a copy of xp home and a restore disc, are setup so they only work with the hardware already installed in the original pc, changing the cpu & board may make your copy of xp home refuse to work.
You'll only know,If it works, when you try to run your system, when you've built it.
The upgrade could have problems, if your going from one motherboard chipset to another , e.g. Via to Nforce, etc.

If your going from via to via you should'nt get any problems, But re-install the latest Via 4 in 1 drivers, or whichever chipset you have, just to make sure.

 

[VirusType2]

A lot of shop bought pc's that use a copy of xp home and a restore disc, are setup so they only work with the hardware already installed in the original pc, changing the cpu & board may make your copy of xp home refuse to work.
You'll only know,If it works, when you try to run your system, when you've built it.
The upgrade could have problems, if your going from one motherboard chipset to another , e.g. Via to Nforce, etc.

If your going from via to via you should'nt get any problems, But re-install the latest Via 4 in 1 drivers, or whichever chipset you have, just to make sure.

Are you sure pre-built, software pre-installed PC's often will make Windows XP not work if I use the original HD, but just replace my mobo and CPU?

Thats not fair. They ripped me off. Companies do not want to let me down. I'm not the one son.

I;m going from Celeron D to AMD Athalon 64. Wont my new mobo and CPU come with some driverz?

Looks like I'm going to have to open up that loose floor board again.

BTW thx for the heads up Oni

 

[01000101]

Sorry, tired and read his post wrong. Um... how bout those Sonics?

 

[VirusType2]

I won't be using it on another computer, In fact I want to install Windows 98 or something with DOS support on the leftover parts computer, so i can play older games.

How will I prove that it is not on another computer to WindowsXP home, so It will let me go thru with it?

How did you do it? I see so you have the complete install discs so my results may vary

THANKS! I don't want to go Hitman 2 on Windows

 

[01000101]

The Windows XP Home disk you have; does it say: "Microsoft Windows XP Home version" or does it say: "Restore Disk," or something like it?

I know if it's a "Restore Disk" then It might not work, as it reads the BIOS of the computer that it's being installed on. Most computers that are made from Dell or Gateway are like this. The "Restore Disk" reads the BIOS (Which is usually on the Harddisk instead of on the MOBO, Sigh) they do that so you can't install windows on different machines as they don't, usually, ask you to activate them.

 

[VirusType2]

The Windows XP Home disk you have; does it say: "Microsoft Windows XP Home version" or does it say: "Restore Disk," or something like it?

I know if it's a "Restore Disk" then It might not work, as it reads the BIOS of the computer that it's being installed on. Most computers that are made from Dell or Gateway are like this. The "Restore Disk" reads the BIOS (Which is usually on the Harddisk instead of on the MOBO, Sigh) they do that so you can't use them to install windows on different machines as they don't, usually, ask you to activate them.

Yes the disc that came w/my pre-built PC is called Restore Disc

but i have all the proper proof that it is a valid copy of windows with serial numbers, etc., and registered it to myself online.

Actually my version required activation within 15 days or something...

And I am transfering the hard drive that contained WindowsXP pre-installed to the new PC

So basically the hard drive that contains Windows Xp will be my boot/OS drive. I will use it for my OS boot drive, and to store temporary files.

I'm buying like a 300 GB drive for permanent storage& games...

Any more help? thanks again.

 

[firemachine69]

Format/re-install Windows on the old hard drive, the recovery disk is useless to you now.

You'll also need to re-activate Windows since your making major hardware changes.

 

[furiousV]

my dads got a Dell 8300 that comes iwth a Windows XP Pro which says "for reinstallation only" but i managed successful installation on my custom build and my sisters old Dell. however, we did not go past the Activation stage. not sure what happens after that, my dads a bit paranoid.
your CD might be different than mine, considering urs is Home and mine Professional

 

[VirusType2]

Format/re-install Windows on the old hard drive, the recovery disk is useless to you now.

You'll also need to re-activate Windows since your making major hardware changes.

OK so i will:
Format/re-install windows on the old hard drive, take my PC apart and use the old hard drive with the fresh installation of WindowsXP in my build of my new PC (The drive will be my main/Boot drive. I will be installing a second, larger drive.)

Ill re-activate Windows once I power on my PC with the new mobo and CPU installed.

Why is my recovery disk useless to me now? Are you saying that I wont be able to re-install or recover my windows anymore once I use the drive with a new mobo and CPU?