Change my hard drive with a newer computer
I have a older computer, but my hard drive is fairly new. I want to keep it intact; what I would like to do is pull out the hard drive and put it in with the newer computer. Both of them are Dell's, but they are a little bit different. What's the best way to move the hard drive and an open it up. I do have a Acronis, so I can back it up if it helps.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Yeah, this may or may not work, depending on system drivers. You can certainly try it, but there's no guarantee it would work.
Since you have Acronis, you might be better off imaging your current drive, then doing a "bare metal restore" to a new drive. Alternately, you could just build the system around a new drive, then keep your current drive as a second drive in the system.
Since you have Acronis, you might be better off imaging your current drive, then doing a "bare metal restore" to a new drive. Alternately, you could just build the system around a new drive, then keep your current drive as a second drive in the system.
Have a look on this article: https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/2569/Windows-OS-migration-to-dissimilar-hardware-How-to-migrate-to-new-hardware-without-OS-reinstallation.html
You can move the drive to new PC, then boot the PC from a WinPE CD or USB stick prepared with Backup&Recovery15 Home from Paragon. In few clicks all will be done automatically.
You can move the drive to new PC, then boot the PC from a WinPE CD or USB stick prepared with Backup&Recovery15 Home from Paragon. In few clicks all will be done automatically.
ASKER
My only problem is all my software setups. With all my software stuff to have to pay over again with the new computer?
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first - can you tell us what models the new and old drives are?
even being a relatively new one can be an older model (speed, or sizewise)
i would not move an OEM disk to other hardware - because of the above mentioned licensing problem
so i suggest to backup the data, and restore it to the new disk - and install all software
even being a relatively new one can be an older model (speed, or sizewise)
i would not move an OEM disk to other hardware - because of the above mentioned licensing problem
so i suggest to backup the data, and restore it to the new disk - and install all software
if he is going to recycle the old machine and move only the HDD from it to new machine - what is the problem? He paid for this license and it belongs to him IMHO.
Hi,
In theory, your hard drive should already be backed up (certainly the data stored on it anyway), however in practice, that's not always the case, and if not, I would strongly suggest that you have a backup anyway. Never a bad idea to do that.
Moving the hard drive from the older PC to the newer one, should be a relatively straightforward process (assuming you have physical room in the newer PC of course)...... IF you're just going to be attaching it as a secondary drive, i.e. your not going to be booting off the drive?
Are both hard drives exactly the same connection type?
As far as the software is concerned, if you have software programs installed on the older PC, and you need to use them, and they're not already installed on the newer PC, then you will need to check on the licencing terms of the software itself.
Some software licences DO allow you to install to as many machines as you want. Again, check the software licencing.
In theory, your hard drive should already be backed up (certainly the data stored on it anyway), however in practice, that's not always the case, and if not, I would strongly suggest that you have a backup anyway. Never a bad idea to do that.
Moving the hard drive from the older PC to the newer one, should be a relatively straightforward process (assuming you have physical room in the newer PC of course)...... IF you're just going to be attaching it as a secondary drive, i.e. your not going to be booting off the drive?
Are both hard drives exactly the same connection type?
As far as the software is concerned, if you have software programs installed on the older PC, and you need to use them, and they're not already installed on the newer PC, then you will need to check on the licencing terms of the software itself.
Some software licences DO allow you to install to as many machines as you want. Again, check the software licencing.
>> He paid for this license and it belongs to him IMHO << that's not so; it is inted for install on 1 machine only - unless in Europe
that's why MS will start : this windows is not genuine....
that's why MS will start : this windows is not genuine....
So if a machine is dead and the HDD is still alive - I have to buy new Windows? I think it allows moving the drive to another machine but the user should call MS activation center and activate it again.
ASKER
I tried everything, but I finally reinstalled all my software with my new computer. It seems fine.
@tmckinney01 - Thanks for the update and I was happy to help.
Are you thinking of running the disk from the old computer as a secondary drive in the new computer? Simply plug in and you should be fine, most BIOS are set to automatic and will detect the drive and off you go.
If you are thinking of booting off the other hard drive, it may or may not work depending on chipset on both systems, ideally you want them to match, if it does boot you'll also most likely encounter driver issues. Probably wouldn't recommend this, can cause issues and may not have a good windows experience.
Hope this helps. Matt