copying windows from one HDD to another

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jasher11

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so i have windows 7 on my laptop which uses a 2.5" HDD. And so i recently bought a new desktop computer and when trying to build it today i wanted to copy windows from the 2.5" HDD to the new 3.5" HDD that i bought for the new computer. However when i plugged it in with all the right cables it wasnt being recognised in the bios, it only pointed out the optical drive and the new blank hard drive?
so my question is: how do i get windows on my new hard drive by any means- cloning or whatever


Also i read that hard drives get 'locked' to the motherboard or something so it would only work in that computer, is there anyway to remove this maybe?
 
Solution
USAFRet
For a variety of reasons, what you are trying to do will not work,

1. The Windows install on the 2.5" drive from the laptop is almost certainly an OEM version. And as such will only work on that laptop
2. You can't just copy a Windows installation from one drive to another and expect it to work
3. Windows initially installed on a laptop will not work on a desktop, even if you physically install the laptop drive in the desktop. Too many hardware differences.

To answer your question: "how do i get windows on my new hard drive by any means"
Buy a new copy of Windows for that desktop.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For a variety of reasons, what you are trying to do will not work,

1. The Windows install on the 2.5" drive from the laptop is almost certainly an OEM version. And as such will only work on that laptop
2. You can't just copy a Windows installation from one drive to another and expect it to work
3. Windows initially installed on a laptop will not work on a desktop, even if you physically install the laptop drive in the desktop. Too many hardware differences.

To answer your question: "how do i get windows on my new hard drive by any means"
Buy a new copy of Windows for that desktop.
 
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jasher11

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okay thought that would be the answer but i found what i think is a legit copy on ebay for £35!!! and its windows 7 64bit proffessional bu thanks
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Is it advertised as 'new'? If so, doubtful it is a "legit" copy at that price.
 
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jasher11

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i am fairly confident it is a real copy- the seller has a good rating, and the seller has sold hundreds of windows 7 ultimate for £45 - so i think they are legit but i dont know...
anyways on the topic of windows - do you know the difference between home premium( what my laptop has), professional and ultimate?

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Hundreds of sales might equal hundreds of people who did not know what they were buying. What is the link to the eBay sale?

Windows 7 editions
Pro gives you XP Mode, joining a domain, and better builtin backup options.
Ultimate give you Pro + multiple languages and BitLocker.
 
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jasher11

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Win 7 ultimate: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Ultimate-64bit-Full-Version-For-Any-PC-/281116169591?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item4173d45577

Win7 pro: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64bit-Full-Version-For-Any-PC-/261234193047?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item3cd2c57297

those are the links

thanks :)
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Ahhh...as I thought.
He is selling Dell PC's and the associated Windows install. You only get the actual hardware if you go to the warehouse and pick it up. As no one does, he gets to sell the bare hardware as well.
10rv14x.jpg


No...not entirely legit.
I wouldn't. I'd just rather buy a real legit copy.
 
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jasher11

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okay - so the method of what hes doing isnt completely legit but windows is genuine, i think i will just go on amazon then :)

 
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