If I take my HDD with Win7 from my old pc, will it work on another system without an OS?

RepoDraghon · Apr 26, 2015

I have a 600GB drive with Win7 on it and everything from my old PC (Dell XPS 420) and I just bought me a few parts to build a new PC. New mobo, cpu, hdd (for storage of videos), ram and a case. (I recently upgraded my XPS's sound card and video card (750Ti) so I don't need those parts... I was hoping that I can just start with my old HDD but am unsure if it will work with the new parts...

DonkeyOatie · Apr 26, 2015

Is it an OEM OS? OS is keyed to the motherboard, so when you move a HDD you will have issues. OEM OS is only for the machine on which it was installed. Other versions my be transportable, but you may need to get Microsoft to re-key it.

USAFRet · Apr 26, 2015

I was hoping that I can just start with my old HDD but am unsure if it will work with the new parts...

Probably will not boot.
The licensing is a whole other issue.

But it probably won't boot in the first place.

bignastyid · Apr 26, 2015

It may boot it may not. When replacing something like a motherboard(unless its the same chipset) its recommended to do a clean reinstall. If the version of windows 7 is what came pre-installed with the dell its locked to the Dell motherboard and non-transferable and you will need to buy a new license.

RepoDraghon · Apr 26, 2015

I bought a cd to upgrade the XP to 7, the cd says, "For distribution only with a PC" "OEM System Builder Pack"

USAFRet · Apr 26, 2015

RepoDraghon :

From ebay, right?
Licensed software, especially a Windows OS, is rarely a good idea from fleabay.

RepoDraghon · Apr 26, 2015

Nope, not from eBay...

I believe this is the one... mother got it for me for xmas... http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050

On another note, for some reason, I'm not getting emails (not even in spam) from this site that someone has replied... yes it's turned on...

USAFRet · Apr 26, 2015

RepoDraghon :

I am unsure why, from one of those 4 sellers in your partpicker link, it would say "For distribution only with a PC" .

But....the only way to know is to try.

Search

If I take my HDD with Win7 from my old pc, will it work on another system without an OS?

RepoDraghon

Distinguished

USAFRet

DonkeyOatie

Champion

USAFRet

Titan

bignastyid

Titan

RepoDraghon

Distinguished

USAFRet

Titan

RepoDraghon

Distinguished

USAFRet

Titan

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page