switching an old hdd to new computer without losing any programs or files?

bjislost · 02-22-2005, 01:41 AM

I Was Wondering If I Can Use My Old Hdd In A New Computer Without Losing Any Thing Off Of The Drive. Can I Boot From This Hdd?

Kboy · 02-22-2005, 02:23 AM

very likely you can, unless the drive is so old that it's incompatible with your new motherboard and power supply. Send us the specs and we could tell you for sure.

bjislost · 02-22-2005, 02:39 AM

nvidia gforce 6600gt
amd athlon 64 3500+
asus a8n-sli deluxe mobo
2-80gb maxtor hdd 7200rpm
450watt ps
1.5gig ram
hauppauge wintv-pvr 500mce
windows mce 2005

Kboy · 02-22-2005, 02:44 AM

really, wut matters is if the old hard drive is the same kind of connection as the new ones. Example: if your new hard drives are IDE, and so is the old one, no problem, just hook up the old one and boot the comp.,but if the new ones are SATA or something it could be harder.

4W4K3 · 02-22-2005, 02:55 AM

also if you are switching operating systems it might give you some problems.

switchign to a new mobo/chipset also tries to reporgram some of the kernel boot info or w/e its called...so it might not recognize your older HDD if you put it into a new system without a reformat.

i would say backup all your important info onto say DVD-RW's or something. then just transfer them that way. but if it works with the older HDD...no problem.

Blue · 02-22-2005, 05:09 PM

It really comes down to is how much older the system is :-). I've been able to do it at times and other times no.

When you instal chipset drivers and such then move the HD to another system then there's too many incompatibilitys with the system. Of course you should Always reinstal windows no matter what when switching like this anyway so I would strongly suggest that you back up all your important data anyhow b4 the switch and you just may save yourself the hassle of putting it back into the old computer to do it.

02-22-2005, 01:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
bjislost New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	switching an old hdd to new computer without losing any programs or files? I Was Wondering If I Can Use My Old Hdd In A New Computer Without Losing Any Thing Off Of The Drive. Can I Boot From This Hdd?

02-22-2005, 02:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kboy Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Knoxville Age: 19 Posts: 124	very likely you can, unless the drive is so old that it's incompatible with your new motherboard and power supply. Send us the specs and we could tell you for sure. __________________ And on the eighth day God created the PC, and it was not so good. :)

02-22-2005, 02:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kboy Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Knoxville Age: 19 Posts: 124	really, wut matters is if the old hard drive is the same kind of connection as the new ones. Example: if your new hard drives are IDE, and so is the old one, no problem, just hook up the old one and boot the comp.,but if the new ones are SATA or something it could be harder. __________________ And on the eighth day God created the PC, and it was not so good. :)

02-22-2005, 02:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
4W4K3 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lewisville, TX Age: 20 Posts: 6,848	also if you are switching operating systems it might give you some problems. switchign to a new mobo/chipset also tries to reporgram some of the kernel boot info or w/e its called...so it might not recognize your older HDD if you put it into a new system without a reformat. i would say backup all your important info onto say DVD-RW's or something. then just transfer them that way. but if it works with the older HDD...no problem. __________________ My Computer I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe. Can I eat your brain? FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

02-22-2005, 05:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blue VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London Ontario Age: 35 Posts: 3,555	It really comes down to is how much older the system is :-). I've been able to do it at times and other times no. When you instal chipset drivers and such then move the HD to another system then there's too many incompatibilitys with the system. Of course you should Always reinstal windows no matter what when switching like this anyway so I would strongly suggest that you back up all your important data anyhow b4 the switch and you just may save yourself the hassle of putting it back into the old computer to do it. __________________ FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

02-22-2005, 02:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
bjislost New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	nvidia gforce 6600gt amd athlon 64 3500+ asus a8n-sli deluxe mobo 2-80gb maxtor hdd 7200rpm 450watt ps 1.5gig ram hauppauge wintv-pvr 500mce windows mce 2005

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