joddle Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Hi - I have to travel soon and where I am going to there is a PC of the same make and model as the one I use at home - except the HD is blank - ie no operating system. Rather than take my whole PC with me is it possible to simply take the HD with me and use it in the other machine. My current PC is a Dell 755 as is the second machine, the only difference being the processor speed - the current one one is 2.2gb and the other is 3gb - both are duo core processors. I know I could do a full install of and OS when I get there but this of course will take some time - I do have XP SP disks and the machine both have valid XP pro COA stickers. I also would then have to install all the software I need - again tedious. In the longer run I would rather have the 3gb machine as my main PC, and the one I am using now loaded with just and OS and a few utilities which I can use in my wife's language school -where there are already other 755s networked. So the main question - can I simply take my HD for this trip? Quote
Plastic Nev Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Hi, I am not too sure about the legalities of that, even if it works. The operating system on your computer will no doubt be an OEM install. That means that legally it is tied to that computer and not transferable. Moving the hard drive into another computer, complete with an operating system is a transfer you see. Also there is the difference of processors, plus Dell quite often made changes to their motherboards, even in the same model, that may mean the Windows operating system may see the processor and associated motherboard as a different environment and refuse to boot any way. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
joddle Posted June 2, 2012 Author Posted June 2, 2012 Hi, I am not too sure about the legalities of that, even if it works. The operating system on your computer will no doubt be an OEM install. That means that legally it is tied to that computer and not transferable. Moving the hard drive into another computer, complete with an operating system is a transfer you see. Also there is the difference of processors, plus Dell quite often made changes to their motherboards, even in the same model, that may mean the Windows operating system may see the processor and associated motherboard as a different environment and refuse to boot any way. Nev. OK but this is really only to cover me for a few weeks until I bring the new machine back home here. If it works it would be really usefull otherwise I will have to do a machine build once there - as I said at least I have the Dell disks and the COA on the machine so it will be pretty strightforward - just time consuming! If I try the swap could it do any damage? Quote
Plastic Nev Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Swapping hard drives around shouldn't cause any physical damage providing it is done with care of course. In this instance it may not work, and because of copyright laws may not be legal either. I have to be careful and point that out, and cannot help in any way regarding something that may be a breach of copyrights, hope you understand. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
joddle Posted June 2, 2012 Author Posted June 2, 2012 Swapping hard drives around shouldn't cause any physical damage providing it is done with care of course. In this instance it may not work, and because of copyright laws may not be legal either. I have to be careful and point that out, and cannot help in any way regarding something that may be a breach of copyrights, hope you understand. Nev. I fully understand your position regarding giving advice on an illegal operation - however I have swapped an OS from one machine to another before - at the time I contacted MS and they were OK about it and issued me with another passkey all I had to do was delare the code numbers from the machines COA stickers and tell them why I was doing it. On another ocasion I had a laptop which got damaged and so bought another second hand one without a HD and swapped them - again the machne queried the code and I simply contacted MS and they sorted the code swap. But I have never swapped a disk on a sata machne and never on a desktop before! Quote
Plastic Nev Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Quite often MS are OK about that sort of thing providing it is as a repair operation, and will gladly sort out key's for you in those circumstances. As to what you want to do, if it can be called a repair, I will leave you to call MS about it if needed, best of luck. Nev. Quote Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register here. If Free PC Help has helped you then please consider a donation. Click here We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I have installed Windows, now how do I install the curtains? 😄
KenB Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 I stand by what Nev has advised. On the technical side - if the 2 motherboards are the same you should be able to do what you want. XP Pro - as far as I know - is rarely installed as an OEM option so it could be a full installation. Check the sticker on the side of the machine. Quote There is an email going around offering processed pork - gelatin - and salt in a can ......this is simply SPAM !! MiniToolBoxNetwork TestWireless Test
RandyL Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 I can confirm what Nev said about Dell having different hardware on the same models. Even with a service tag there is no gaurantee the computer will match the specs they provide. Sloppy if you ask me. One can only assume they will use whatever is convenient or cheaper on any given day. I also agree with Ken. Although a repair option might be possible in some cases it does not always work. Quote We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs.Get help with computer problems. Join Free PC Help here Donations are welcome. Read Here
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