What happens to the OS?

[FloOFy]

When you clone your hardrive what happens to the OS? I'm assuming it copies it to the new hardrive (I've never cloned before) but would both hardrives have the same exact OS's? With the same product key and everything? So would that mean I could use my old hardrive (with same OS) and use it in a different computer?

I don't think so, but I'm wondering. I already bought my new hardrive so does anyone have any advice? Any problems that noobs usually face? Oh, and when I clone should I do it in Windows or off a CD, is there a differnce?

 

[vacunita]

Yes the OS and everything is copied over to the new drive. That's the concept of cloning whether it be a hard drive or a sheep. The end product is an exact duplicate of the original.

but would both hardrives have the same exact OS's? With the same product key and everything?

Yes, they both have the same product key and everything.

So would that mean I could use my old hardrive (with same OS) and use it in a different computer?

Legally No. Realistically Yes. Practically well that depends.

Windows XP and higher, kind of get linked to the hardware they are on. So if you where to place the drive in another computer chances are it won't boot due to hardware differences. Additionally Microsoft puts a hardware change checker in their OS. What this does is it checks how much hardware has changed from the last time it booted up and if its more than allowed it then makes Windows require activation. As it is now running in a different machine. Basically normal changes like changing a CD or changing a hard drive are o.k. but major overhauls like Motherboard and processor and whatever else is attached to the motherboard. Well that sends red flags to the OS and disables it. It then requires re-activation, which is done by inserting a new product key. That means you have an additional license to run WinXP in that machine.

There are ways to get around it, but of course other than reactivation none legal.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[goombawaho]

As stated above, unless the machines are quite similar, you will either not be able to boot because of hardware differences OR Windows will ask you to re-activate because it "knows" that substantial hardware changes have occurred.

However, if, you had 12 laptops exactly the same, you could clone them all and have them run great though NOT LEGALLY.

 

[FloOFy]

I've successfully cloned my hardrive to my new one. After I did clone however, I got an icon on my toolbar saying that I have to activate Windows. So I clicked on the icon (which shows a key) and it basically said that there was a hardware change, then I clicked next and it said my Windows was Genuine and that was the end of it.

(I changed my CPU from a e6400 to an e8400 also btw)

Ok, thanks for the replies =)

 

[paparazi]

So I take it everything was the same except a new CPU and hard drive? and I assume that the last time you used the licence was at least several months ago so when you activated it didn't warn you that Windows had been activated too many times.
A simple upgrade then.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep