Moving HDD w/ XP to new MB; old MB still in use...how?

Hey everyone. I've gotten parts together to build a faster system than what I have and I need to move my current HDD to the new MB.

I have installed an OEM version of Windows XP SP2 on my HDD. The plan is to used my old system(not really old at all ) and install a new HDD/separate XP onto the current MB I'm using.

I really want to avoid leaving my old HDD on the current MB. I'd like to take it with me and not have to do the file/transfer setting wizard.

If the MB has the copy of XP registered to it, would putting the new HDD and fresh XP install(its own OEM key) 'un-tie' the key with my current HDD so I can use it on the new system right away?

OR do I have to use the new HDD on the new system and transfer the files after setting it up?

 

the biggest issue when transferring boot/OS drives to new or different motherboards is drivers.. the best / easiest solution (in my opinion) is a fresh install on whichever drive.

 

OEM Windows is for the box it came with. If you upgrade the mobo and all that, you should buy a new copy of windows.

Or get the Linux. http://distrowatch.com/

Or another 'nix' http://www.opensolaris.org/os/

E

 

good catch fred.. overlooked that

 

I built this system myself though...I am the OEM. I technically have the right to say it needs an upgrade. What in the hell is with windows?

I mean, I have 2 XP keys and 2 hard drives. 1 has XP installed. The other is brand new. Why go through all the hassle of making me reinstall or preventing me from moving my HDD to another setup?

I might as well just put the new HDD with the new system and do a clean XP install on it. I didn't want to have to transfer the files this way, but it appears I have no choice.

I think the risk is to great. I guess its either deal with the hassle of not getting XP activated right or deal with the hassle of moving the files I want to keep from the old HDD to the new one.

The old system I'm using right now will be kept together(minus case and power supply)...so if that is the case can I wipe the current system clean after moving files from current system to new system HDD? Will the OEM version atleast allow me a clean install at my will?

I mean, geez, I have the OEM CD and I bought all the parts to the computer myself. I put it together myself. Stupid windows and their controlling BS.



SPIN PREVENTION: Rage is against Microsoft.

 

What if I call Microsoft and tell them my old motherboard died and no other computer is using my key for Windows XP? That is the truth. The old MB will have a separate HDD/XP key. Would they buy that?

For the record, I would prefer the clean install on a new setup, but the person I'm giving my current build to wanted the new HDD is all. I keep my system pretty clean though...

I don't mind my friend having my current HDD its just a hassle to reinstall all my programs. I was just going to do the basic XP setup for them on the new HDD no more strings attached. I mean, the only hang up is the stupid OS. I could easily enough put the new HDD and new OS in this setup and it run fine; but I try to move my HDD to another motherboard and I've broken a law. I mean, I'm not going to use the same stupid key on the old MB. I will have a newly installed XP/HDD setup.

This way will force me to at least clean off some 15 GBs of personal information.

I don't have a flash drive that big!

Heh, is there a way to delete my motherboard from having this key of windows registered to it?

 

That's what ive done in the past, you just call up support and say you're reformatting or had to replace your motherboard and you need to reactivate it.

 

I think to be on the safe side I'll just install new HDD and XP key on new system, then move my files over through the Wizard.

Question: Which is the faster way to transfer files from 1 computer to the other?

Parallel port or crossover ethernet cable?

 

ethernet

 

Thanks. Does the fact that both are Gigabit-ethernet make a differnece? Won't that allow 1 GB/s transfer?

 

You should be 1GB per second ready to go with a cable.

Use a cross over cable.

E

 

what he said

 

Mmm, gigabit. :drool

 

I know this thread is dead,but I felt the need to resurrect because I never noticed the option to just add the older hard drive to the system as storage therefore not needing to transfer anything.