question about installing xp...

[faisal_uk]

Question I have is:

If I install Windows XP on a new hard drive, and then put that hard drive in another computer (with no hard drive), will it work?

I need to know if Windows will just auto detect the new hardware, or will I have to do anything else?

Any opinions welcome

thanks

[Spunkey]

probably not. When you install XP it detects all your hardware and then installs all the appropriate drivers.
When you put this drive in another machine it will more than likely not boot as XP will detect hardware has changed and it thinks you've pirated it (as has happened to me before when i upgraded my system).

If you do this with 98/ME *spit*/2000 it'll work, just not XP

Just wondering why you cant put the drive in the other system to start off with?

[Purple]

it will work depending the source of your XP disc

[Purple]

it may be simpler to move the CD drive over if that is the problem with installing it directly - if it is because the other computer is rubbish and you cant be bothered waiting - look in to intalling it automatically (you get a network script thing) and go to the pub while it is doing it

[0iD]

XP is very clever, it'll do one of three things in my experience.
a) refuse to boot
b) demand activation before it lets you log on
c) try to boot, crash & die horribly.

It's designed to recognise the system it was installed on. theoretically even if 2 systems are identical component-wise, XP will recognise differences, say in serial numbers. Also, the drivers required for the new mobo will be required. or it'll die horribly.

Whichever way you look at it, every time you move the drive (provided windows boots) you'll have to re-activate.

[Norky]

No it won't work. It is very common to have to reinstall Windows XP when changing motherboard.

[Xaneden]

If you happen to have the corporate edition, then it should install basic device drivers for the other computer. If you have standard Pro or Home, you will have to reactivate. You just ring Microsoft up and say that you'll be switching the HDD between the 2, but never have Windows running on more than 2 systems.

You should be able to reactivate when u like then, though you'll have to re-explain the scenario to MS.

[faisal_uk]

thanks for the info guys

it is a problem that a friend has. one of his family aborad said they wanted him to bring a new hard drive when he goes over there as their is 'broken'

i was just wondering whether he could buy a hard drive from here and i would install an operating system on it - as they may not know how to do it themselves.

so would Win 2000 work ok? or i think i will just check to see what operating system they currently have.