Basic Build Question

zeppelin03 · 12-07-2007, 05:51 PM

I'm about to build a new computer. If i uses an old harddrive that has windows on it will i need to install windows at all or will it be fine

meanman · 12-07-2007, 06:01 PM

unfortunatly you will have to reinstall windows

Pyrox920 · 12-07-2007, 09:20 PM

Took me a few weeks, new hard drive, and new OS to figure that one out. I didn't know why it wasn't working...

**oscaryu1** · 12-08-2007, 02:07 AM

The difference in the hardware is too great for it to change... You might be trying to use a VIA Chipset drive... and since you changed teh system... you might have a Nvidia chipset now... And it doesn't work out. XP and stuff can possible "repair" and fix it up... If you have XP or better though...

zeppelin03 · 12-08-2007, 05:00 AM

I have discs to reinstall Windows Xp from an old dell computer could i use that or would i have to buy a new one

meanman · 12-08-2007, 11:31 AM

you will have to buy a new one even if the disk you have is a proper windows disk because it is tied to the dell pcs hardware, and if its a dell recovery disk it still wont work.

Quentin_T · 12-08-2007, 11:53 AM

Who says you need to reinstall windows?

I basically swapped a whole computer, and kept the same boot Hdd with windows on it.

It's not that hard. Just go through your device manager and uninstall drivers/remove everything you can. It certainly takes a while for the new system to install all the new drivers, but mine works perfectly.

This is for XP anyway. You didn't specify your OS

zeppelin03 · 12-08-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quentin_T

Who says you need to reinstall windows?

I basically swapped a whole computer, and kept the same boot Hdd with windows on it.

It's not that hard. Just go through your device manager and uninstall drivers/remove everything you can. It certainly takes a while for the new system to install all the new drivers, but mine works perfectly.

This is for XP anyway. You didn't specify your OS

It is Xp i forgot to mention. Did you uninstall every driver

**oscaryu1** · 12-08-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quentin_T

Who says you need to reinstall windows?

I basically swapped a whole computer, and kept the same boot Hdd with windows on it.

It's not that hard. Just go through your device manager and uninstall drivers/remove everything you can. It certainly takes a while for the new system to install all the new drivers, but mine works perfectly.

This is for XP anyway. You didn't specify your OS

Sometimes that can do, like if you have more of a same chipset... Most of the time, no dice. You just got lucky that time. Other times, in my experiences, it would either: Freeze, Keep on restarting.

**oscaryu1** · 12-08-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeppelin03

I have discs to reinstall Windows Xp from an old dell computer could i use that or would i have to buy a new one

You can use your older disks only IF you will use your computer's COA. Otherwise, it's illegal, and we can't help you.

12-07-2007, 05:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
zeppelin03 Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 19 Posts: 114	Basic Build Question I'm about to build a new computer. If i uses an old harddrive that has windows on it will i need to install windows at all or will it be fine

12-07-2007, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
meanman Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: england Posts: 1,788	unfortunatly you will have to reinstall windows __________________ my sig Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition ocd to 3.15 ghz Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 "SSC Edition" 1024MB GDDR3 CoolerMaster Stacker 832 Coolermaster 700W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU member of the cod 4 www.cfclan.co.uk

12-08-2007, 02:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	The difference in the hardware is too great for it to change... You might be trying to use a VIA Chipset drive... and since you changed teh system... you might have a Nvidia chipset now... And it doesn't work out. XP and stuff can possible "repair" and fix it up... If you have XP or better though... __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

12-08-2007, 11:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
meanman Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: england Posts: 1,788	you will have to buy a new one even if the disk you have is a proper windows disk because it is tied to the dell pcs hardware, and if its a dell recovery disk it still wont work. __________________ my sig Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition ocd to 3.15 ghz Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 "SSC Edition" 1024MB GDDR3 CoolerMaster Stacker 832 Coolermaster 700W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU member of the cod 4 www.cfclan.co.uk

12-08-2007, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Quentin_T Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NH Age: 27 Posts: 268	Who says you need to reinstall windows? I basically swapped a whole computer, and kept the same boot Hdd with windows on it. It's not that hard. Just go through your device manager and uninstall drivers/remove everything you can. It certainly takes a while for the new system to install all the new drivers, but mine works perfectly. This is for XP anyway. You didn't specify your OS __________________ Main PC.....................\HTPC......................\Server.................. Intel Core 2 Duo 6700\AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+\AMD Athlon 3000+ Asus P5B-Deluxe WiFi\Biostar TF7050-M2\Asus A7N8X-Deluxe Rev2 2GB Kingston DDR2 800\2 GB Crucial DDR2 800\1GB Crucial DDR 400 WD 36GB Raptor + WD 500GB\250GB\320GB\500GB\160GB\2x 500GB BFG 8600 GTS 256MB\XFX 8500 GT 512MB\ATI X700 256MB O/C'd Sony HS95P(19"+17")\Sharp Aquos 42" LCD\Absolutely Nothing!!!! Boredom led me to do this...

12-07-2007, 09:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pyrox920 Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 70	Took me a few weeks, new hard drive, and new OS to figure that one out. I didn't know why it wasn't working...

12-08-2007, 05:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
zeppelin03 Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 19 Posts: 114	I have discs to reinstall Windows Xp from an old dell computer could i use that or would i have to buy a new one

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