Can I transfer Windows HDD into new system?

[slovenlyjimmy]

Hi,

Hopefully I am posting this in the right place.

I am putting the finishing touches to a new gaming rig, but I don't have the budget left for a new copy of Windows. However I do have an old laptop HDD that was taken out of an old machine before I sold it for spares.

The HDD has a full copy of windows 7 installed and was fully working when I removed it. My question is, will I be able to plug it into my new system and boot the PC from it? Also I don't currently have a DVD drive amd I'm not sure if I'm going to need one to get the initial drivers for the Mobo and GPU installed?

I'm sure ths is probably a stupid question, but not really sure what I'm doing in this area!

Thanks

 

[iBeInspire]

I did something similar to this once... It's a pain, but it's possible.

Basically your only issue is going to be the drivers installed, they're going to be for the laptops therefore your inputs, internet ect.ect.ect aren't going to work, I used a PS2 keyboard and kept hitting tab until I got to where I wanted. Once you get the mouse working it's possible to just uninstall all the old drivers and get the correct ones

Don't take my word for it though, this was only my case and you may have many more problems on your attempt

 

[Snortan]

It depends if that windows copy is OEM. If it is then it's tied to the motherboard of your laptop and it will not work with a different motherboard. If it isn't then it should work but be prepared to run into troubles and have to restart multiple times before you manage to get into windows.
As for a DVD drive, if you do manage to get into windows just uninstall most drivers (GPU,LAN), restart and Windows will provide you with some basic drivers so you can go on the manufacturers website and download the newest drivers.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

Thanks for the info.

If the main issue is going to be drivers, do you think grabbing a cheap DVD drive will make things easier? Or is it going to be just as much of a struggle?

My main concern was whether Windows would work ok, but by the sounds of it that might not be too bad?

 

[Snortan]

It's going to be just as much of a struggle because when you get into windows you have to uninstall the old drivers first and then restart, and after that you will have basic drivers and can download the new ones from the manufacturers website.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

It depends if that windows copy is OEM. If it is then it's tied to the motherboard of your laptop and it will not work with a different motherboard.

The laptop was a HP build from PC world a few years ago. No idea if it's going to be OEM or not? Guess I'll find out when I get started!

 

[iBeInspire]

It's going to be just as much of a struggle because when you get into windows you have to uninstall the old drivers first and then restart, and after that you will have basic drivers and can download the new ones from the manufacturers website.

^ This, but with the added pain in the backside of not being able to use mouse/keyboard.

Having said all that, I'd still give it a go, since you don't really have anything to loose. If it doesn't work don't delete anything, just stick it back in the laptop

 

[Snortan]

I'm not entirely sure but if your laptop had a sticker with a key on the bottom of the case then it's likely to be the OEM version.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

^ This, but with the added pain in the backside of not being able to use mouse/keyboard.

Having said all that, I'd still give it a go, since you don't really have anything to loose. If it doesn't work don't delete anything, just stick it back in the laptop

I really don't have anything to loose since I don't have the laptop anymore.

Final parts should be with me in a couple of days, so I guess I will try it and see!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

I'm not entirely sure but if your laptop had a sticker with a key on the bottom of the case then it's likely to be the OEM version.

Not certain, but I've got a feeling it did.

Although I'm sure some people have said that if you call Microsoft and explain that you Mobo blew up (this is actually what happened to my old laptop) then they are usually happy to transfer the license.

Might at least be worth a phone call?

 

[alienware]

It just comes down to luck really. Either it will boot and load up the drivers needed or it will just BSOD on startup and go into a loop.

It's mainly down to the SATA controller.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

I'm actually tempted to plug the HDD into my wife's laptop and see what happens.

Wondering if I create a Windows recovery disk on a USB stick and boot from this first if it would help?

 

[paulstung]

I tried it with a HP laptop drive in my new rig when I swapped mother boards, and my result was a simple it won't work. I contacted MS, and they said it was a builders edition os, oem, And I would have to buy a new copy of W7. You never no though, you might be luckier than me. There is no harm in trying.

 

[SPS]

I honestly don't think this will work and if it does I suspect it would be unstable somewhat.

I'm actually tempted to plug the HDD into my wife's laptop and see what happens.

Installing even more drivers on the OS drive would bugger it even more.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

Well, my CPU Fan arrived this morning and as I'd put the rest together a couple of nights ago, I couldn't resist popping it into the system and booting up to see what would happen before I left for work.

Initially I got straight to the ASUS BIOS as the system tried to boot from my blank 500GB HDD, changed the boot option over to my old LAptop drive and the system tried to to boot and not unexpectedly just black screened.

I turned off, re-booted and this time I got the usual "Windows failed to shut down correctly" menu options. I chose to boot in safe mode, thinking this would be the best bet for success and waited, only to get another black screen. At this point I went off to finish getting ready for work, coming back a few minutes later and finding to my surprise Windows Vista all loaded in safe mode and installing basic drivers for me!

Have to say I never thought I'd be pleased to see Vista running on a machine of mine again!:huh:

Anyway, after the initial shock of finding Vista and not the expected Windows 7, it looks as if I have a fully working OS. I won't know for certain until I complete a setup tonight and get all my drivers loaded and boot into normal mode rather than safe mode, but fingers crossed.