Can I tranfer my OS into another computer and keep everything?

Question

Can I tranfer my OS hard drive into another computer and keep everything?

I have an XP professional system(AMD) and got another system that has a better motherboard and cpu (Intel), but has windows 2000 :(

is it possible to transfer my older XP hdd into the new Intel computer to keep the XP OS?

will the xp os will replace w2000 in the new computer?

to clarify a few things:

comp 1 (old):

amd mobo and cpu

xp pro os

40 gb hd

comp (new):

intel mobo and cpu

windows 2000

60 gb hd

Answer 1

no, you can't, The OS you have installed saved all of your hardware configuration, and if you move hardisc with an OS inside, it will not run, you must repair that installation with OS cd/dvd, then you can run it.

it's ok, your file and other software will not lose..

Answer 2

You can put your drive into the other computer, however it will not boot.  You will have to boot from the XP cd, start the install process and it will see the previous installation of windows.  It will give you an option at that point to "repair" that installation.  Choose to repair it.  It will fix the hardware compatability between the different hardware.  After the install it will boot, but not work "quite right" until you get the drivers for the new machine, and all of the security patches installed, but it will work well enough to get this done.  Once done, you will have  your "old" system up and working perfectly in the new hardware.

The process is called doing an "In place upgrade"  You can check support.microsoft.com for more info if you like.

Answer 3

no, XP will only run on the computer it's installed on.

if you try shifting the hard disk, you will get an error upon turning your computer on.

this is due to different sorts of computers, hardware, etc.

i've tried it before.

Answer 4

If you just plug in the XP hard drive, it'll say there was a major or significant hardware change and you won't be able to use the OS until you repair or reuse the key. If you have the install disc or a repair disc, this shouldn't be a problem.

You can transfer the drives contents however by using various software programs out there. Seagate has Discwizard, Western Digital has data lifeguard, Maxtor has Maxblast..there are others too. Norton Ghost, Acronis.

I sometimes use a transfer tool (hot swap plug in adapter) for swapping drive contents but using software mentioned above in the swapping computer with the OS is usually a proven way to go. Make sure you have your master-slave jumpers correct before and after transfer and drive letters assigned for the system correctly. The OS will reassign them for you and you must make sure they are correct..

Answer 5

Yes you can transfer the hard drive into the new computer.If you have your xp install disk by hand,what you do is you put the xp harddrive into the new machine and then put the xp disk in the cd rom and start up the pc with it.Then you are goign to change the boot sequence by hitting the (normally) F2 button to enter cmos setup.you are going to look for boot sequence ,then change it to boot from cdrom as the first option and your IDE harddrive as 2nd.Then save and exit .now the pc is going to restart.Then you will be prompt to press any key to boot from cd rom so whatch the screen closely.after booting to cd rom you will be asked press enter to setup xp > press enter then it is going to ask you to press F8 to agree and then it is going to ask if you want to repair the operating system then you press "R" but be carefull it will ask you to press "R" twice.the one is the recovery console and the other one is to repair the Operating system.Choose the one that is asked last (so the second "R")then it is going to start the repair process.After everything is completed you will go into windows then you have to install the new pc's drivers.Normally comes with the motherboard but you can also download the drivers by going to the manufacturer site.After that you will need to activate windows and bob's your uncle you are done and ready to enjoy your new pc.

Hope this helps!!