Putting old HD into new computer

[z1ggy]

I am making a new build and giving my old computer to my Dad. He wants to keep all his pics and software, etc. so I told him I could keep his old HD and put it into the new computer. Will all I have to do is install the drivers his HD is missing like the new mobo and graphics card? Or will more need to be done?

 

[myocardia]

Buy a $25 DVD-RW, so when that old hard drive fails in 6 months, the photos are backed up.

 

[PianoMan]

If it's going to be the boot drive, you can just put it in. In the past (way long time ago), I remember having some security (access) issues into the old drive if I just put it into another computer (with a different owner/admin name).

If it's going to be the boot drive, you won't be able (unless you're REAL lucky) to boot the new computer with the old windows install. You could try a repair install (i.e., enter Windows setup with the CD-ROM and choose "Repair").

 

[gorbs]

if you search this forum there is a posting about this which will walk you through the process of changing the controller of the hd. i had to do it on two of my pc's when keeping the old hd and operating system. i did not right it down though sorry.

 

[z1ggy]

Ok, I will try to search for it, but it is kind of a stab in the dark..haha. There are many forums and topics..but I'm sure it will pop up somewhere.

 

[gorbs]

i was just searching and got close but no cigar. i know you have to change the controller name so the new mobo doesn't freak when you turn it on. i had to learn that the hard way too.

 

[taltamir]

there are two kinds of people, those who back up, and those who never had a hard drive failure...

The age of the drive doesn't matter, you should ALWAYS have a backup... once you do, upgrading a HDD has nothing to do with its "age" or "probability of failing"... it only deals with how fast it is or how much space it has.

 

[jeffk55]

Well there are a lot of issues here, and most of my suggestions are based on a small pool of DYI and good bad personal experiences:
First, if you ar going from a VIA chipset to VIA chipset your mb drivers MAY survive if they are close in age. This may be the same w/ SIS to SIS ect, and AMD to AMD.. but I believe, if the MB are too different it could be problematic (as in definitely a problem).

The FAQ here helps to put it into perspective:
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.aspx?i=113
For legal/update issues:
Depending on OS and it's EULA, this could be a problem. Microsoft OS's are usually (standard OEM liscense in general) are married to the motherboard. Change MB and you are supposed to buy a new OS.....
As to my recommendation, just use his HD as "slave" so you can retain the data files (but lose all software functioning most likely). Reinstall or replace software onto new (old) box. Of course if you are keeping your old OS then this is not an option.
After doing the "master/slave thing and if the new box has enough free space, transfer old files over to the new c drive and then either pull old HD and stick it into an external case for backup, or store as a historic snapshot (of course in a few months it's value decreases).
NONE of this (except slaving the hd) pertains to anything older than Win XP....
Greater detail (both box specs ect.)is probably needed for more targeted advice

 

[toadeater]

Originally posted by: gorbs
i was just searching and got close but no cigar. i know you have to change the controller name so the new mobo doesn't freak when you turn it on. i had to learn that the hard way too.

I tried that method and got the 0x0000007B error after a couple of reboots anyway. Even a repair install didn't fix it. Now I'm looking into some way of importing the software registry hive so that maybe I won't have to reinstall everything.

 

[Ratman6161]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
I am making a new build and giving my old computer to my Dad. He wants to keep all his pics and software, etc. so I told him I could keep his old HD and put it into the new computer. Will all I have to do is install the drivers his HD is missing like the new mobo and graphics card? Or will more need to be done?

I've done this before and gotten it to work -- sort of. As jeffk55 said, you will have the best luck (and luck it is) when the two motherboards in question use the same drivers (nvidia to nvidia, via to via, etc).

But every time I've done this, even though I got it to work, I always felt like the system was "not quite right" after that. There always seemed to be little quirks etc. And don't forget that when you do this sort of thing for someone else (particularly a family member) and that person is not a tech enthusiast themselves, you end up being their tech support for it. You get the call every time one of the little quirks comes up.

So, as myocardia suggested, just get the $25.00 DVD burner and use it to back up Dad's stuff. Then give him a clean install. You will be glad you did.