Dell HDD won't work in new PC

RisingSun

RisingSun

Member
I took out my old Dell HDD loaded with Windows XP, and put it in my new rig. My new PC works fine when I have my new HDD loaded with Windows 7 hooked up. But when I disconnect the new HDD and replace it with the old Dell HDD, the OS won't start up, and I get blue screen. I don't have both drives connected to the mobo at the same time. Are Dell HDD's not able to work on non-Dell PC's? Or is there some other issue?
 
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It won't run windows because XP was not installed on that drive in the new comp.
XP will only work in the original comp.

You can use it as a slave drive to access the files.
 
jamesd1981 said:
it must be an oem version, so you cant move it from one machine to another
Click to expand...
The only way you can swap drives at the very minimum is that both computers have the same mother board.
Then the other hardware is an issue.
XP knows what hardware the install was made with and if it doesn't match it won't run.

OEM or Retail does not make a difference.
 
It doesn't matter what version it is: Windows assumes that the motherboard is the same as it was at installation.
 
MyCattMaxx said:
The only way you can swap drives at the very minimum is that both computers have the same mother board.
Then the other hardware is an issue.
XP knows what hardware the install was made with and if it doesn't match it won't run.

OEM or Retail does not make a difference.
Click to expand...

yes it wont run if oem, but if its a full version it wont run if put straight in but you can reinstall, a full retail version you can use more than once, i.e i sold my old pc but kept my full retail windows 7 for my new pc, and just put my oem vista back in my old pc
 
jamesd1981 said:
yes it wont run if oem, but if its a full version it wont run if put straight in but you can reinstall, a full retail version you can use more than once, i.e i sold my old pc but kept my full retail windows 7 for my new pc, and just put my oem vista back in my old pc
Click to expand...
You didn't word it that way in your other post.
He wasn't asking about being able to re-install the OS.
He was asking why it wouldn't run.
 
If Dell is like HP, Dell will install anti-piracy software to prevent people from reusing the OEM version of Windows. It is possible to move the hard drive to another computer. However, you must delete the files that scan for the original hardware. Just like HP's code purple. It's not illegal, HP and Dell just want you to pay for another system or another version of Windows. As long as you paid for that hard drive.

I had this issue on my HP. My motherboard had changed its "tattoo" and the files in the HP drive wouldn't let me boot Windows. Just had to delete the necessary files..it should be possible for you, or Windows is booting the old motherboard drivers.
 
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