How do I use my old hard drive on a new computer? Please help.

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Ali_16x

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Nov 29, 2014
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So I messed up bad, I planned on using my old hard drive on my new computer but I forgot to transfer important files to a USB and now I can't get my old computer to work at all, the monitor won't display anything for that computer. I checked my new computer it worked fine but I didn't have the hard drive installed.
So I am part of Microsoft Dreamspark and I can download Windows 7 professional so I can have it on my USB, but my operating system on my old computer was home. Is there a way I can install the new operating system without deleting the contents?
Or is it possible to still use my old hard drive, which is a SATA on my new computer? Would I have to uninstall the old motherboard? Is that possible to do from my new computer?
Please I would like any method.
 
Solution
Someone Somewhere
You can't install an OS without somewhere to install it to.

My advice would be to load Linux onto your USB drive - you can get LiveUSB ISOs that don't need any installation. Boot off that in your new PC with the old HDD and another USB drive plugged in, and you should be able to copy the files off. Then install Windows normally.

You can also install windows without formatting the drive, but I wouldn't recommend that.
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Ali_16x

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Nov 29, 2014
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I haven't done anything, is it possible to use a downloaded Windows 7 that is on my USB? I'm using a Asus M5A99X Evo A2.0.

I don't have a new HDD, i'm using my old one but I don't want to delete the contents. I wanted to transfer all the important files then wipe the HDD. Also would I need a new HDD? Is it possible to install the new OS without a hard drive?
 
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Someone Somewhere

Someone Somewhere

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Sep 23, 2012
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You can't install an OS without somewhere to install it to.

My advice would be to load Linux onto your USB drive - you can get LiveUSB ISOs that don't need any installation. Boot off that in your new PC with the old HDD and another USB drive plugged in, and you should be able to copy the files off. Then install Windows normally.

You can also install windows without formatting the drive, but I wouldn't recommend that.
 
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Solution
Moonstick2

Moonstick2

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Oct 3, 2014
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From your description, the HDD has the OS and data from your old computer. It's worth trying installing the HDD into the new computer and booting it at least. Don't have the computer connected to the internet/network.

If Windows does boot it'll be in safe mode, VGA resolution and be pestering for activation, but it should give you long enough to transfer your files to a USB and then wipe/reinstall Windows afterwards.

Most wouldn't expect this to work but I managed this once with a laptop HDD: old laptop wouldn't run due to water ingress, I tried the HDD in another laptop and even though the motherboard etc was completely different Win Vista booted into safe mode and let me access the data that hadn't been backed up.
 
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Ali_16x

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Nov 29, 2014
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Which Linux operating system do I choose? There are a bunch and I think some of them might require a blank hard drive. Is there a Linux operating system that allows you to access a old hard drive?

 
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