New HDD or not?

onipar

onipar

Member
Here's my predicament:

I'm building a new computer, but trying to keep the price low. On my current computer's HDD (a 2-3 year old Western Digital 500 GB) I have Windows XP. It was a preloaded OS, so I don't have a install disk or probably even a keycode anymore. I work at a college, so I have a Windows 7 upgrade disk that I got for like $7, but it only works to upgrade a previous version of Windows.

Right. So my idea was to simply install this old HDD with XP into my new build and then upgrade to W7 using the disk, and by doing so I'm saving anywhere from $150-$200 because I don't have to buy an HDD or a new OS disk.

The thing is, I'm a bit worried that using the older HDD (and I don't even remember what the RPMs on it are, probably on the lower end) with limited space will slow my new system. I'd much rather snag a new 1T HDD to use. But if I do that, then I'd also have to spring for another $100 for the OS.

So, that was a lot of talking to ask, are there any other options? I'm guessing not, since I don't have the old install disk for XP or keycode, but I thought I'd check.

Also, am I right in thinking this will bog down the system, or will it probably be fine?

Thanks.

EDIT: just for the sake of posting it, I believe this is the model I have. The only difference in the product code is that mine has a "V" where this one has a "K." Not sure if that means anything...
 
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That hdd would be good for your build, if you want to disable the other pc to do it.

Check to see if that "upgrade" is really upgrade or if they mean upgrading from XP to W7. If it is, there's no upgrade from XP to 7 other than install the full software. But you might still be able to get a school discount on what you need?

Even if you have to spend the 100 on the os, by using that hdd you can stay under 500 and I found a better build than i listed in your other thread.
 
Benny Boy said:
That hdd would be good for your build, if you want to disable the other pc to do it.

Check to see if that "upgrade" is really upgrade or if they mean upgrading from XP to W7. If it is, there's no upgrade from XP to 7 other than install the full software. But you might still be able to get a school discount on what you need?

Even if you have to spend the 100 on the os, by using that hdd you can stay under 500 and I found a better build than i listed in your other thread.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I just saw the other build info. Awesome finds! Yeah, the "upgrade" disk won't actually upgrade from XP. It requires a clean install to work, but I'm okay with that. I'm just going to back up all my programs and documents and let fly with a clean install.

Was also thinking of dual booting with Mint.

You listed a 1TB HDD in the other thread; should I get that just for a second HDD for storage?

Thanks!
 
You can do a "clean" install of Win 7 using the upgrade media but during the install when you are prompted as to whether to activate now or not, skip the activation. After you have everything installed, then go back in and activate. If you try to activate during the install, the install will fail.
 
Thanks for the tip Strollin! Will-do. I posted this question in my other thread, but it really pertains to what I asked here, so here it is again:

The windows XP version I have is on the old HDD (I no longer have the old xp install disk). So let's say I install both the old hdd and a new SSD. Then I boot onto into the CD upgrade disk. Will it allow me to install win7 on the new SSD even though the XP version is on the old HDD?

This is what I'd love to do, so I have a faster, newer HDD with the OS on it, and use the old HDD as storage, but I was worried that since the XP OS is on that old HDD, it would force me to install the Win7 on it as well.
 
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