HDD compatibility??

[herbert42]

i know this probably sounds like a stupid question, but im building a computer and im kind of new at this. i've never built a computer before and for the HDD i was going to get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

its a bare hard drive so i need an operating system but im a little tight on money right now, so i was wondering if i could just use the hard drive from my old computer and i wasn't too sure if there would be some kind of compatibility issues. the old hard drive has windows XP on it and if you need to know any specs i'll give them to you.

 

[voyagerfan99]

You won't be able to take the old HDD out and boot into Windows. It'll bluescreen on you because the hardware is different. Plus, no hard drive will come with Windows installed on it. "Bare drive" just means it's just the drive with no cables or other accessories.

And if you need an OS and you don't have money, you could always go with a Linux distribution. Linux Mint and Ubuntu are the most user friendly for those just starting with Linux.

 

[herbert42]

ok, i figured. i've had ubuntu before and dual booted it on my laptop so im a little familiar with it. this computer im building is going to be for gaming, so is there anyway i could run games on ubuntu? once i get a little more money im probably going to buy windows 7 so its probably not even worth it to get ubuntu and eventually get rid of it, but im just really impatient.

 

[jamesd1981]

you could use a drive copy program like paragon or ****** drive copy, to copy your exact old drive to your new drive, so you would have the windows from you old hard drive and all your files on the new hard drive.

 

[voyagerfan99]

you could use a drive copy program like paragon or ****** drive copy, to copy your exact old drive to your new drive, so you would have the windows from you old hard drive and all your files on the new hard drive.

But it won't boot because the hardware is different.

 

[ecyor07]

you could use a drive copy program like paragon or ****** drive copy, to copy your exact old drive to your new drive, so you would have the windows from you old hard drive and all your files on the new hard drive.

Copying files is legal but I think copying or cloning an OS is illegal...

 

[voyagerfan99]

Copying files is legal but I think copying or cloning an OS is illegal...

Cloning your drive to another drive is not illegal. The point is, even if he does clone his drive with Windows on it and sticks it into his new computer it WILL NOT BOOT!