Cloning a HDD to a new one. Will I have to buy Windows again?

Ammar Mirza · Jun 28, 2014

I have a HP Pavilion Dv6000. I have been noticing that the HDD has been crashing too often. So I have decided to clone it. But there's a problem. If i clone it, will i have to buy windows again because i have the product key behind the laptop but i do not have the disk for windows.

Nathan Willis · Jun 28, 2014

If you cloan Windows you will NOT have to buy Windows again!
Cloaning is NOT recommended at all.
Moving an OS that may have problem to another HDD will just cause even more problems.
In most cases cloaned drives will have errors and not work right.
The best way to go is a clean install. In that case you will have to buy Windows again.

The tutorials may help you:

http://www.maximumpc.com/how_clone_hard_drive_or_ssd_2014

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421302,00.asp

USAFRet · Jun 28, 2014

Ammar Mirza :

No, however....

You're wanting to clone a potentially corrupt install from one drive to another. Depending on exactly what is wrong, you might well be just moving the problem from one hard drive to another.

Figure out why it is crashing before just moving the problem.

Ammar Mirza · Jun 28, 2014

USAFRet :

I know its not a software thing because a few weeks ago i dropped my laptop from a fairly high height while it was running. So i think its probably a hardware thing

USAFRet · Jun 28, 2014

Ammar Mirza :

Cloning from one drive to another is an exact copy of the original drive contents.
Cloning a known broken drive to a new one carries all the broken crap that can't be read from the original.

Cloning does not 'fix' things.

Ammar Mirza · Jun 28, 2014

USAFRet :

I plan on to clone it so i get Windows atleast and then if i do a system format. I dont think ill have to worry too much then?

USAFRet · Jun 28, 2014

Ammar Mirza :

Completely unknown. I would simply do a full reinstall on the new hard drive (Assuming the hard drive is the only problem after a dropped laptop)

You have the product key. Assuming this is Windows 7, you can download the official ISO file from here:
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Download, burn a DVD, install, activate with the key on the laptop.

Ammar Mirza · Jun 28, 2014

USAFRet :

Ammar Mirza :

Completely unknown. I would simply do a full reinstall on the new hard drive (Assuming the hard drive is the only problem after a dropped laptop)

You have the product key. Assuming this is Windows 7, you can download the official ISO file from here:
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Download, burn a DVD, install, activate with the key on the laptop.

But i dont think we can use the same key twice

USAFRet · Jun 28, 2014

Ammar Mirza :

In the same laptop, with the same motherboard, yes you can.
At worst, you'll have to activate via the phone robot at MS.

Broken hardware does not require new software purchase.

Ammar Mirza · Jun 28, 2014

USAFRet :

just in case can you give me a link to the phone robot thing

USAFRet · Jun 28, 2014

Ammar Mirza :

If the online activation fails, you should be presented with a screen giving you the phone number.

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Cloning a HDD to a new one. Will I have to buy Windows again?

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