Old Hard drive in a new computer

[Makenshin]

I am building a computer for a friend and have one question. I have it built and boots, but he gave me 2 old hard drives that he wants in it. They already both have windows on them. Is it possible to just put the hard drives into the newly built computer and have everything work, I have tried just putting in the hard drive and no go. I still just get the reboot or boot from disc message when you first turn on a computer. I also tried making the hard drive the primary boot device and no luck.

[Isiolia]

Whether you can get it to work or not, generally, you don't want to do things that way. Unless the new hardware is identical to the old, a fresh install is the way to go.

Technically, Windows can work in that situation...just will have to drop to generic hardware drivers until you install the proper ones. I mean, that's what it'd do if you installed it outright anyway. Still, again, fresh install is highly preferable.

As it's not booting at all though...are they IDE drives with mismatched master/slave settings? Plugged into a RAID controller and not the primary IDE (if the mobo even has it)? Number of things that could be off. Is the computer booting from a third HD you have in there, or is it just posting or booting a CD?

[Makenshin]

I only have 1 hard drive hooked up right now, just for testing. It's one of the IDE drives. I have no problem downloading driver's for his hardware, that I have done many times before. The comp is posting and asking for a CD to boot from. I have worked with the jumpers before for the slave and master before, but I forget which pin corresponds to which. Is that setting universal or different for each hard drive. Motherboard doesn't have a RAID controller, just the IDE ribbon into the blue plug (i forget what it's called).

I am only trying to do this because he wants to save money and I don't want to get him an illegal copy or anything, he is not computer savy at all and I don't want to ahve to go there alot just to update and get around windows shit etc.

[Shuemue]

try setting all IDE devices to cable select

[levish]

if its a retail copy of windows xp he bought he can move it legally to the new computer

if its oem he's not legally entitled to move it to the new computer

if he was interested in being legitimate obviously

[Cephius]

if its a retail copy of windows xp he bought he can move it legally to the new computer

if its oem he's not legally entitled to move it to the new computer

if he was interested in being legitimate obviously

Uh, I've moved OEM copies before, I called Microsoft each time for the activation codes and I was never denied. All OEM means is that it's pre-bundled with a system. It's still your operating system, you paid money for it and are entitled to move it to any computer you wish as long as it's only on one computer at a time.

[Isiolia]

Part of the OEM licensing agreement is that it's tied to that particular system. It shouldn't be able to be transferred.

[Makenshin]

he can always call microsoft to check if he can move it...but knowing him... he prob doesn't know how he got it he always just says his brother did everything

[Rags]

Part of the OEM licensing agreement is that it's tied to that particular system. It shouldn't be able to be transferred.

Computer stores sell OEM to people all the time it doesn't have to be included with a store bought system. Basically I think with OEM your only allowed to run it on one system. IF you tried to put it on 2 systems it would fail.

It make no sense to get a OEM and have your system crash a week later and not be able to use it on a newer system. Thats basically 150$ on dead software and thus putting you at -300# loss.

[Isiolia]

According to the license, OEM software can only be sold with hardware. It's meant to be sold with a complete system, or at least most of one. Now, computer stores will bend that, or consider it to be sold with hardware that the same customer didn't buy...that doesn't change that the actual license stipulates that it's to be sold with hardware.

Basically I think with OEM your only allowed to run it on one system. IF you tried to put it on 2 systems it would fail.

No, that's activation, which the retail and OEM copies will both have. Volume licensing won't (at least with XP).

It make no sense to get a OEM and have your system crash a week later and not be able to use it on a newer system. Thats basically 150$ on dead software and thus putting you at -300# loss.

Nope, it doesn't. But read MS's support forums regarding that exact issue and guess what? That's exactly what they'll tell you. That's why the license costs so much less than retail. It's not 'cause of the <$1 of material a box and CD case entail.

May work sometimes anyway. The pickiest copies I've found were ones from manufacturers, not OEM copies bought from Newegg or whatever. But still, the point is that, completely by the license agreement, an OEM copy is tied to the computer it came with or was first installed on (in MS's mind, the one you built, installed it on, and sold).

[Rags]

According to the license, OEM software can only be sold with hardware. It's meant to be sold with a complete system, or at least most of one. Now, computer stores will bend that, or consider it to be sold with hardware that the same customer didn't buy...that doesn't change that the actual license stipulates that it's to be sold with hardware.

Basically I think with OEM your only allowed to run it on one system. IF you tried to put it on 2 systems it would fail.

No, that's activation, which the retail and OEM copies will both have. Volume licensing won't (at least with XP).

[quote:2wa9pq8u]It make no sense to get a OEM and have your system crash a week later and not be able to use it on a newer system. Thats basically 150$ on dead software and thus putting you at -300# loss.

Nope, it doesn't. But read MS's support forums regarding that exact issue and guess what? That's exactly what they'll tell you. That's why the license costs so much less than retail. It's not 'cause of the <$1 of material a box and CD case entail.

May work sometimes anyway. The pickiest copies I've found were ones from manufacturers, not OEM copies bought from Newegg or whatever. But still, the point is that, completely by the license agreement, an OEM copy is tied to the computer it came with or was first installed on (in MS's mind, the one you built, installed it on, and sold).[/quote:2wa9pq8u]

I can understand a Dell Windows OEM not working on a HP desktop. But if you go to Newegg and buy it along with a barebones kit. An you have to get a HD. What if the HD fails. Then your stuck buying another OEM if you go by the rules of the OEM.

If thats the case your better off spending another 150$ and getting the copy in a box.

[Isiolia]

In that case you get a new HD and it activates fine because the core system components (particularly the motherboard) remain the same.

What you wouldn't be permitted to do is swap out mobo/CPU/etc to make your computer essentially a different machine.

Similar to if you buy a DVD writer and get an OEM copy of Nero. It'll typically be tied to that brand (if not model) of drive.

Really what you need to consider is what Microsoft intends that license for. If it suits your use, then great, save money. If not, then buy the retail box.

[levish]

Uh, I've moved OEM copies before, I called Microsoft each time for the activation codes and I was never denied. All OEM means is that it's pre-bundled with a system. It's still your operating system, you paid money for it and are entitled to move it to any computer you wish as long as it's only on one computer at a time.

What you want, can do and what is legitimate are different things.

There was mention of being legitimate and "moving" a oem copy can be done but is not legitimate, anything involving a new mobo = new computer as far as microsoft's policy on the issue goes.

http://www.microsoft.com/communities/ne ... a8e847&p=1

OEM = 1 computer ever
Retail = can move to new computer