Will a HD with windows on it work when put into another computer?

[Guest_imported]

Hi

My cpu fan failed and fried my processor (sigh). If i take my hard drive and put it straight into another computer setup with a different mobo/CPU combination, what are the chances of it working without having to format the HD and start from scratch?

 

[edfair]

Possible. But you'll probably be thrown into safe mode because of the hardware changes and will need to delete the hardware stuff from the mangler and hope that everything adds back in correctly on reboot.
I've noticed when I've done it for testing that straightening things out are more time intensive than reloading from scratch. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Guest_imported]

That sounds promising - i am using exactly the same devices as before (sound, graphics, etc)

hopefully i will be able to solve any problems with the mobo/CPU in device manager

 

[Guest_imported]

anyone else have a comment?

 

[cdogg]

A different CPU won't have hardly the effect as a different motherboard. If the chipset requires specific drivers installed, you'll probably have a tedious task ahead of you to remove the old configuration and load the new.

I agree with Ed that a fresh install may save a few hairs on your head. But if you want to avoid that at all costs, then try reinstalling Windows on top of itself after removing as many hardware devices as you can from the device manager.
~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[wolluf]

You haven't mentioned operating system. I'd agree with comments above. I've done this with win95/8 a fair number of times (but never in a must work situation) - about 50% success rate (ie, got 50% working ok after reinstalling drivers etc - the others never worked properly, had to reinstall o/s). NT I've had 100% success rate (but its not plug & play) - and I've read of others with total failures. 2k also 100% (but only tried it a couple of times). Haven't tried XP (the activation would be an issue with changed hardware I assume).

 

[evildoughboi]

if da drive format *as in fat32 or ntfs* is different, as in 1 is not compatible w/ another, then you sud stick da hdd in by itself. you can also put your drive on slave and go to another person computer and plug it in. u can still access your files and can save ur files onto the master drive *another persons drive*, format yours and then transfer it back wehn your done.

 

[Guest_imported]

OK, thanks for your input guys. The OS is win 98se which i've have mixed success reports about. I think im just gonna have a go and see if i get lucky. If not, i will follow your other suggestions.

Im gonna try it today, so i'll let you know how i get on. Thanks again!

 

[Guest_imported]

It worked!! There were a couple of probs re-detecting some hardware but a simple remove and refresh in device manager fixed everything. no problems at all!

 

[garebo]

I would make sure I keep a good backup going as I wouldnt be surprised if you had troubles down the road.
Not to be rude or anything, but you shouldnt do that, it will lead to trouble.
Better to re-install the os and other drivers needed.

 

[SteveCanyon]

I see you've pretty well solved the problem. I wuz just gonna say that HDs rarely need to be re-formatted, and take any such advice with a grain of salt, and do it only as a last resort. I have never seen a good reason, yet, to re-format.

I see no reason why a HD that works OK would not work in another computer. I've moved HDs many times from one computer to another with absolutely no problems.

 

[wolluf]

SteveCanyon

Lucky you!

 

[Xemus]

On a side note, if you're moving a drive between a Win2k or WinXP computer, the nice thing is that you can do a repair install to get it to function properly again. Boot from your cd, skip the recovery console, then select "repair a windows installation". I've done this about 20 times now (we ghost alot) and it works like a charm. Jordan MCP, A+
Assistant Network Administrator

 

[swapy]

Hi all,

I have the same problem Can anybody give me a clue?

This a genuine Problem. with Win2000
I have one HDD (IDE) with preinstalled software with Windows 2000 Server Edition from one Hardware machine and I want to boot it from my machine having Different configuration but it gives me an error.

***STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF741B84C,0xC0000034,0x00000000,0x00000000)

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
I Searched on this but all tips gives me a clue that i have to made the Driver changes before connecting it to new hardware. Can Anybody help me out? I tried to repair from the Boot CD of setup and also with repair disk but it says the setup can't be repaired.

 

[Guest_imported]

swapy have a look at this page:-

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/other/motherboard/problems.htm

 

[wolluf]

PMR,

Not actually tried any of the suggestions from your link, but it looks very useful, well worth a star!