Putting a hard drive into a brand new laptop

KingCrimson · May 25, 2013

Hi,

(I didn't know if I should put this into "Storage" or "Laptops," so I flipped a coin. Sorry if it's in the wrong place.)

I want to buy a new laptop, but I don't feel like paying for a new OS. My question is, is it possible to take my old HDD from my old laptop and pop it into a new one and have everything work nicely?

Basically, this is the situation: Let's say I buy a Sager that has slots for two hard drives, but only order one, and not include an OS. The laptop I currently have has a hard drive that didn't come with it; I had to replace the original disk when it fizzled out on me years ago. I also bought Windows 7 along with it. Could I simply take the old HDD and, essentially, "plug and play" in my new laptop with no snags?

Thanks!

bryonhowley · May 25, 2013

Well if Windows came with your old laptop then it is tied to that laptop and can NOT be used with any other PC period. So short answer would be no. Plus there is the fact that it would not work anyway unless the hardware on both laptops were the same so the long answer would also be no.

When Windows is installed it is setup based on the hardware in the system at the time and does not really work trying to boot a installed system on completely different hardware.

KingCrimson · May 25, 2013

bryonhowley :

Hey,

Thanks for the reply, but I think you're misunderstanding me a bit.

Both the hard drive and version of Windows that I'm currently using are NOT original to the laptop I have. When my laptop's original hard drive (which had Vista) blew up, I bought a completely new one (also different brand). I also bought a new copy of Windows 7.

So, since my current HD and Windows are already imports into my old laptop, I'm wondering if it would easily transfer into a new, clean laptop.

beoza · May 25, 2013

KingCrimson what bryonhowley stated is correct. It doesn't matter if they're imports to your old laptop or not, when you activated the copy of Windows 7 you bought with the replacement hard drive it became tied to that old laptop, you cannot transfer it over to the new laptop. You can take the Hard drive but you will need a new product key to activate Windows 7 on the new laptop. Windows activation ties itself to specific hardware in a pc/laptop.

mbarnes86 · May 25, 2013

Hi

If the Windows 7 DVD is oem system builder it is tied to first PC it was installed on
if Retail or Retail Upgrade it can be transferred.

Move may go wrong so backup all important data first

The problems in moving a Windows 7 hard disk is made easier if you have advanced notice and can prepare it for move

Get Windows 7 drivers for new laptop put on hard disk or CD or USB

un-install specialised device drivers such as graphics, audio, power management, network , wireless network
un-install manufacturer specific utilities which check for driver updates (eg Samsung/Dell/Toshiba/HP....)
do not reboot when requested
remove hard disk controller drivers from registry
(do research on how to do this look for FIX hdc or Fix_7hdc)

finally power down laptop & move drive to new laptop

cross your fingers, power up new laptop when finished rebooting supply new drivers

once you are sure Windows is stable re activate Windows
[you may be forced to re activate before logging in so I hope the Internet connection is working at this stage]

I have succeeded with desktop PC dead motherboard changes with Windows XP & 7 hard disks
(but I have not tried with laptops there is no theoretical difference)

regards
Mike Barnes

regards
Mike Barnes

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Putting a hard drive into a brand new laptop

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