Cloned HDD Laptop

[MadeCurler]

I've cloned my 3.5" SATA HDD successfully from my ACER Aspire 5050, Vista Home Basic. Hypothetically, if I inserted this cloned HDD into any other laptop would it boot and give me access to all my programmes and data? Thanks for any advice you can give.

[KenB]

Hi and welcome.

 

No - I doubt that it would boot up.

When you install Windows it "takes an inventory" of the hardware - significantly the motherboard.

If you swap the motherboard or move the hard drive to another system ( in other words .....a different m/board ) Windows recognises a new environment and will not boot up.

 

XP has a way around this by enabling a Repair Install of the O/S.

 

Vista and Win7 do not have this option.

 

If the second laptop had the same motherboard you stand a good chance.

By doing that [ having the same version of the O/S on two systems ] you would be in breach of the Microsoft EULA.

I am guessing that your original O/S is an OEM version anyway.

If this is correct it is tied to the original motherboard.

 

You would have access to your data ( files / photos etc ) but not your programs as these are run from within Windows - and you will not be able to boot Windows.

[MadeCurler]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I'm an enthusiastic pensioner and have spent ages trying to get an authoritative answer from a source I can trust. My existing HD is beginning to make some strange noises and when I swap it for the new cloned HD the system works fine with no noise. I was hoping that if I bought a new laptop I could just transfer the cloned HD to the new machine but now understand why I can't. Thanks again....I'll be using this site again.

[KenB]

You are very welcome.

 

If a hard drive is making noises then it does sound as if it is on its last.

Lucky you had the forethought to clone the drive.