ok. i read that if i re-use a current hard drive with OS already installed i will have to re-install the OS. will it let me? or will i have to buy a new OS? im running on Windows Vista Home Basic - 32 Bit. what will i have to do? step by step. thanks!
- Sep 14, 2005
- 3,038
- 1
- 20,810
It is easier by far to just do a re-install.
You can try to remove all of the applicable old system drivers, re-boot and install the new ones. You might need to do some registry editing to get all the old stubs out if there are still some issues. Successfully did that once, finally got a sort-of clean OS running, but... I spent two days, and the system just wasn't as stable as I'd like, so did a re-install anyway. With XP, new install or old OS, you'll need to call the friendly M$ staff and get a new key. Vista, unless you have retail version you'll likely need to get a new copy.
Proximon
Illustrious
- Apr 10, 2006
- 14,620
- 3
- 41,465
XP Home Basic is an OEM operating system that shipped on new computers such as Dell, Compaq.
It is intended for use on the original system only.
From http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125
It is intended for use on the original system only.
From http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824125
Proximon
Illustrious
- Apr 10, 2006
- 14,620
- 3
- 41,465
When you install the OS on a new system, assuming you have an installation disc, you will be asked to activate your copy of XP. MS will essentially compare your old motherboard to the new one, and then tell you to phone them.
When you call, they might let you re-activate if you say the MB was fried and out of warranty... maybe.
When you call, they might let you re-activate if you say the MB was fried and out of warranty... maybe.
jitpublisher
Splendid
- May 16, 2006
- 8,747
- 2
- 31,960
If it is an OEM version of the software, you cannot move it to another PC.
If you have retail version, you can reinstall it.
Simply hook up the HDD, boot with the Windows CD or DVD and do a new install. At a point during the intial part of the install,(not the very first where it asks you if you want to use the recovery console or what ever, just say you want a new install initially) Windows will start running the install program, and find that you already have an OS on the drive, it will ask you if you want to try and repair the current installation, or continue with a new installation. At this point it will warn you that continuing with a new installation will result in all the information on the drive to be lost. (In other words it is going to do a quick format and write over everything on the drive).
Here at this point you may choose to do the repair install, which actually works pretty well, but it is not perfect. I would suggest that you save anything you want before removing the drive from the old system, and then just doing a new install, if you have the retail version of the OS.
If you have retail version, you can reinstall it.
Simply hook up the HDD, boot with the Windows CD or DVD and do a new install. At a point during the intial part of the install,(not the very first where it asks you if you want to use the recovery console or what ever, just say you want a new install initially) Windows will start running the install program, and find that you already have an OS on the drive, it will ask you if you want to try and repair the current installation, or continue with a new installation. At this point it will warn you that continuing with a new installation will result in all the information on the drive to be lost. (In other words it is going to do a quick format and write over everything on the drive).
Here at this point you may choose to do the repair install, which actually works pretty well, but it is not perfect. I would suggest that you save anything you want before removing the drive from the old system, and then just doing a new install, if you have the retail version of the OS.
ok i see what u mean. ok lets say i DO format my disk, and boot up my new machine with the wiped disk. all i have currently for vista to install is the Emachines Operating system disk. ( its vista basic 32 bit ) will it ONLY work for eMachines systems?
if i cannot remove all the old drivers, what if i format my hard drive, install vista on it then put the hard drive in the new pc with ONLY vista installed? would this work?
Proximon
Illustrious
- Apr 10, 2006
- 14,620
- 3
- 41,465
You both have the same problem. OEM operating systems that MS will likely not validate again.
You will be able to re-install, or do a "repair installation" (Google it) and that will probably get the machine booted. At that point Vista will want to validate... communicate with MS. If you fail to allow this within a certain time frame, the installation will stop working.
You will be able to re-install, or do a "repair installation" (Google it) and that will probably get the machine booted. At that point Vista will want to validate... communicate with MS. If you fail to allow this within a certain time frame, the installation will stop working.
I had the same question, but mine wasn't a copy that came with a prebuilt system. It was one I purchased from new egg a while ago.
I know if you have a Emachine, Compaq, Dell or whatever name brand PC your OEM copy is bound to other Emachine, Compaq, w/e machines but from what I have read other places and from the response I got on my post in the "XP forums" they say as long as your OEM copy is not a pre bound copy to those systems you can change it over.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/238173-45-reuse-windows-home
I'm bring this up because Proximon said before knowing if his OS was Dell, Compaq, w/e said that you cannot change. From what I read he hasn't said if it was from a old Dell or something else.
I know if you have a Emachine, Compaq, Dell or whatever name brand PC your OEM copy is bound to other Emachine, Compaq, w/e machines but from what I have read other places and from the response I got on my post in the "XP forums" they say as long as your OEM copy is not a pre bound copy to those systems you can change it over.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/238173-45-reuse-windows-home
I'm bring this up because Proximon said before knowing if his OS was Dell, Compaq, w/e said that you cannot change. From what I read he hasn't said if it was from a old Dell or something else.
so when i put my new PC altogether ( with the current hard drive installed )
what is the first thing i should do? format it ( with old pc ) and try to install windows on it with the CD? or put it in my new pc and see what happens when i attempt to boot it up?
thanks in advance. =)
what is the first thing i should do? format it ( with old pc ) and try to install windows on it with the CD? or put it in my new pc and see what happens when i attempt to boot it up?
thanks in advance. =)
- Sep 14, 2005
- 3,038
- 1
- 20,810
Have you determined yet if you have an OEM os or retail? If OEM, you are probably wasting time...
In either case, I'd get the MFG's tools, and burn a bootable CD, copy the tools onto it, make the cd / dvd drive first in boot order, then do a full format with the MFG's tools.
Why? They will check every cluster, re-write the bad cluster map, and usually issue a report if the drive is damaged beyond acceptable limits to use for an RMA.
Time consuming? Yes, but how often does one do this? Fresh system, fresh drive, good to go. Patience yields long term dividends.
Google did a drive analysis a few years' back. It was interesting in its findings, as it covered many thousands of drives from many MFG's. In 24 / 7 use, the peak drive failure was around 3 years. If a drive went past that timeline, failure rate flattened out for the five to seven year timeline, then rolled off pretty fast. Useless information to you, perhaps.
In either case, I'd get the MFG's tools, and burn a bootable CD, copy the tools onto it, make the cd / dvd drive first in boot order, then do a full format with the MFG's tools.
Why? They will check every cluster, re-write the bad cluster map, and usually issue a report if the drive is damaged beyond acceptable limits to use for an RMA.
Time consuming? Yes, but how often does one do this? Fresh system, fresh drive, good to go. Patience yields long term dividends.
Google did a drive analysis a few years' back. It was interesting in its findings, as it covered many thousands of drives from many MFG's. In 24 / 7 use, the peak drive failure was around 3 years. If a drive went past that timeline, failure rate flattened out for the five to seven year timeline, then rolled off pretty fast. Useless information to you, perhaps.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram