Moving a HDD to a new computer...

clquestor

clquestor

New Member
Someone had previously said in my post on building a new computer that I may have issues using an existing hard drive. Can I use and old hard drive on a new computer without much hassle? I have a valid copy of windows xp or 7 that I will be using. Is the drive totally linked with the motherboard or will it be a simple install to the motherboard and reinstall windows? How does this process work?

Also, I see on newegg that they have bare drives and prices are good. Whats different between that and a retail boxed unit?
 
You can use an existing hard drive as long as the operating system isn't installed on it. You will have to install a fresh version of Windows on the drive.
 
So will I need to format the drive prior to installing to the new motherboard and case, then proceed with a standard OS install. Or when I go to boot for the first time will I then need to format before continuing with OS install? How would I format prior to installing to new PC?
 
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You can install the drive in your system just backup any data you need off the drive first. Once its in then boot to the install cd and delete existing partitions, repartition, format and install Windows.
 
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