Swapping O.S. disk to new computer

[Vince G]

Hello all,
Is it possible to swap the hard disk with Win XP Pro from one computer to a new one without having to reload XP ?

I have a lot of astronomy software on the main drive that I don't want to reload, unless I have to.

Any thoughts ?

regards
Vince G

[joe_smith]

http://www.techsupportforum.com/articles-tutorials-reviews/hardware-bios-articles/130987-how-copy-your-operating-system-one-hard-drive-another.html

her is a link (above ) using a free program called XXCLONE it shows you step by step how to do it the program is here: http://www.xxclone.com/

haven't used it but looks very good and I am going to give it a go when I install my next hard drive.

[Vince G]

Thank you Joe.
It looks to be exactly what I want.

Very best wishes
Vince G

[CoombellKid]

Actually you should be able to do this with your XP install disc. But I
forget how, I had to do the very same thing on my PC after the motherboard
died.

Check MS support

regards,CS

[nightsky]

G'Day,
Thanks Joe looks like a good program :)
Cheers
Arthur

[g__day]

With alot of experience in this I will say the answer is maybe, and a few things can up your chances.

The key point is you are likely to be changing motherboards, and all the Windows configuration resources are store on your hard drive - and alot of them describe your current setting. Suddenly put a new set of resources there when you boot a different hard drive into a different PC and the operating system will see alot has changed.

The key questions are:

1) Has too much changed? Is this a toxic level of change - about a 1/3 chance from my experience

2) So where do I find the drivers for all this new hardware, and how many times must I install, and re-boot bfore all is normalised (normally about 3 times)?

So to increase your chances of success - have all the drivers for your new set-up, starting with the motherboard / chipset drivers, then network cards (to give you internet connectivity), then video drivers, then soundcards etc, either at hand or already installed on your hard drive - ready for use!

[DeanoNZL]

Hi all,
Exactly as G_Day said, and if there is too much of a hardware change, you will have to re register it with Micro$oft via the phone.
Try to get the same make & type can make life a lot easier.;)
Regards

Adrian