Vista vs XP

[ylind]

I bought a anew computer. The hard drive is the same size in both machines.

 

I don't like Vista - can I simply switch Hard Drives from the Old to the new machine. This would give me a faster machine with XP and all my files already loaded.

 

Or is there a problem with this that I am not aware of.

 

T.I.A.

 

y.L

[RandyL]

Sorry ylind but that won't work. The XP installation on the other drive would not match the other components. Even if you install XP on the new computer there might not be XP drivers for it.

[RandyL]

What computer did you buy. If we knew the specs maybe we could help you with it. More memory etc. to get it running better.

[Dalo Harkin]

If you reinstall XP you need ALL the drivers - thats MOBO drivers and SATA drivers.

Most people do not have these to hand.

Vista will install 99% of the drivers that you need including SATA and MOBO drivers and all you need really are the Graphics driver.

and then to install your programs.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

But the thing is Dave, XP has already been installed to the old machine so therefore Microsoft would get all growly and pouty if he installed it on the new machine as it's not allowed.

[Dalo Harkin]

I presumed that these were 2 seperate OS's.

 

So the old one has XP

the new has Vista

 

If you have the OS disk and the KEY and you use the old HDD and put it in the new PC and reformat the drive with XP then there is no problem with that BUT you must use the HDD that has XP on it currently!

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I can't see that working mate as XP has already been activated on the old pc, if he installs it on the new pc from scratch I still think he'll have problems activating as the key has already been used Dave.

Hardware parameters aside.

[Dalo Harkin]

No - it will be fine - you just need to give MS a bell - they even give you the phone number on the reinstall page lol

and tell them whats what - last time I called was when I changed my MOBO from that ABIT one that didn't work with the Q6600 to the ASUS one and called them and the woman that answered just read me a code and linked it to my account :D

dont know how they do it, but worked for me.

(the Product code does not change BTW)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Mmmm, well it may work but this is a lot of hardware changes and I can see 20 questions.

[Dalo Harkin]

Yeah thats why I would recommend keeping Vista, it takes getting used to but I much prefer it to XP.

They might not do it - I know mine was at the time of when Vista was having troubles and I know that they were getting inundated with calls - and it was Vista too, if you are asking for an XP change then there may be VERY VERY cautious about giving you anything! lol

[Guest Wolfeymole]

It's one thing doing a new install on a box with a dead hdd, doing a new install to a completely different box is another to my mind Dave.

 

So I guess we agree on this.

[Dalo Harkin]

It is but as long as you have a working HDD and an OS and KEY then it's all ok (providing you do not have the key installed on another HDD as this would enable one of the OS's dead at the next update)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ylinds Vista box will have been registered and activated would you agree?

 

I can't see MS holding still for an XP install on that box using a key that is already registered for one pc.

[RandyL]

The bottom line is:

 

You can't just switch hard drives and expect it to work just because the old hard drive had an operating system on it.

 

The operating system would still need to be installed on the new computer. It doesn't matter if the hard drive had one on it.

 

It needs to be Installed as it was never installed in the first place.

 

The parameters have changed.

[Dalo Harkin]

Ylinds Vista box will have been registered and activated would you agree?

 

I can't see MS holding still for an XP install on that box using a key that is already registered for one pc.

 

Yes to registered and activated - MS will not be too happy about you not liking Vista - but what would you do - allow the user to install XP or lose the customer to Linux??

 

The point is if the OLD HDD that has XP on and with it the key is installed into the new pc and the REFORMATTED (with which you will have to call MS and explain the problem then I don't foresee a problem)

they may not like it BUT as in first paragraph they would have to lump it IMO

[Dalo Harkin]

The bottom line is:

 

You can't just switch hard drives and expect it to work just because the old hard drive had an operating system on it.

 

The operating system would still need to be installed on the new computer. It doesn't matter if the hard drive had one on it.

 

It needs to be Installed as it was never installed in the first place.

 

The parameters have changed.

 

The parameters have changed but thats the case with all PC's when a new OS is installed as long as you REFORMAT the drive and when windows is loaded you install the MOBO drivers then that is no different from a new build

[RandyL]

Slow down Dave.

 

REFORMATTED and load Windows. No problem.

 

The poster wanted to know if the old drive could just be switched out and put on the new computer and expect Windows to load.

 

The answer is NO. It has to be installed.

[Dalo Harkin]

Yes but that point had already been answered - did we all confuse each other then?? lol

[RandyL]

That was the point Daylo. It can't be done.

 

Microsoft would be mortified if it were that simple these days anyway.

 

The other points made is if it would even be wise to try to install XP on a new computer if the computer only had Vista drivers available.

[Dalo Harkin]

Right - I think that people are all talking about different things -

Wandy lol

[RandyL]

Wandy suggests that this issue has been resolved. :p

[Seth]

The hassle of trying to load XP on a system designed for Vista, will more often be a lesson in severe frustration and head banging.

 

In addition, OEM keys such as HP, Dell, can only be used on the particular model it was purchased for.