Hard drive re-use question

[Yichi]

Ok odd question time.

I have a Western Digital 500gb 7200rpm sata II 3.0 Hard drive that has windows vista 64 already on it. (was the hard drive from my old computer which is now dead.) I am planning on re-building my computer with a new processor, mb, etc. and was wanting to know if I can re-use that hard drive and windows Vista on the new build without having to format the drive and re-install windows.

Thanks!

 

[StrangleHold]

Is this a OEM copy or Retail. If its a OEM, microsoft will give you a fit to reactivate. You can, but it always better to do a clean install. If not, just delete any drivers from the old hardware before you swap out. It will give you a better chance of it booting with new hardware. Old drivers will cause a conflict when you try to boot with new hardware/motherboard.

 

[S.T.A.R.S.]

Of course you can.
Boot from the Windows Vista 64-bit DVD-ROM disk and then perform the repair of your operating system.That will adapt the operating system to your new hardware.
After that just install the drivers for your new hardware in the following order:

-CHIPSET
-GRAPHIC
-AUDIO
-LAN
-WIRELESS LAN (if any)
-any extra drivers you may have/want




Cheers!