jumptohigh
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How can I place my old hard drive into my new computer and run my applications w/o reinstalling them?
Hello Experts,
My old HP computer's motherboard has died, but the HD seems to be working fine (I placed it into an external HD mounting kit). My dilemma - I have many applications installed on the HD, but do not have the original installation disks. The old HP system was running Windows XP Pro and was built around the year 2000. Is there any way that I can transfer this hard drive (or the apps) to a new computer and have it recognize the installed apps? Is there some software I can purchase that would help with this process or am I destined for major system errors by installing this HD in a new PC?
Thanks so much for your advice.
Mike
My old HP computer's motherboard has died, but the HD seems to be working fine (I placed it into an external HD mounting kit). My dilemma - I have many applications installed on the HD, but do not have the original installation disks. The old HP system was running Windows XP Pro and was built around the year 2000. Is there any way that I can transfer this hard drive (or the apps) to a new computer and have it recognize the installed apps? Is there some software I can purchase that would help with this process or am I destined for major system errors by installing this HD in a new PC?
Thanks so much for your advice.
Mike
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andreizz
If you plug your old hdd in your new computer it will see the files just as files and not as installed software. This happens because installed programs store their info in the Windows Registry(regedit to access it) and the old registry is accesible only if you boot from the old hdd.
ASKER
Klux, Masqueraid, andreizz - Thanks for your input!
Kloux, where would I get MS Virtual PC?
Also, I have a copy of VMWare, could that do the same thing?
Thanks again,
Mike
Kloux, where would I get MS Virtual PC?
Also, I have a copy of VMWare, could that do the same thing?
Thanks again,
Mike
VMWare has it's own imaging system. The .VHD creator linked to above works with Virtual PC
Using this tool to create the image I would first download and install Microsoft Virtual PC.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
If that works you can convert to VMWare at this link.
http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
If that works you can convert to VMWare at this link.
http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/
You may only be able to use Virtual PC now that I am looking further into it.
That second link seems like it will only convert from physical.
That second link seems like it will only convert from physical.
ASKER
Great, thanks kloux...
Am I correct that I need Windows 7 to use MS Virtual PC? Unfortunately I only have win XP Pro...
Thanks,
Mike
Am I correct that I need Windows 7 to use MS Virtual PC? Unfortunately I only have win XP Pro...
Thanks,
Mike
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