Hard Drive switching.

MM-Seat · 18 May 2012 at 22:53

Hi everyone,

I currently have an 3 year advent pc. It has been fantastic but, I have thus realised the true potential of PC gaming.

However, being a poor student I am on a tight budget. So I was wondering if I could put my hard drive from my current PC into a potential new one. I have an external harddrive if this would help.

Also, would I be able to switch a windows xp harddrive into my current pc to give to my parents?

hopefully this all makes sense.

Thanks in advance.

djabs786 · 18 May 2012 at 22:59

I believe Windows will need a new activation key when being used on a different motherboard, you'll probably have to give Microsoft a call. Not 100% sure though.

RiseAgainst · 18 May 2012 at 23:00

You would need a new windows product key and also a fresh install as i understand it as the motherboard drivers will need to be changed when you change the computer

MM-Seat · 18 May 2012 at 23:01

Thus, I'd need to rebuy windows?

Chris-.- · 18 May 2012 at 23:03

If your doing a computing course dont you get free windows 7 keys anywho? Ask friends for a spare w7 key and burn it onto an iso voila

MM-Seat · 18 May 2012 at 23:07

I'll ask around. Thanks for the help!

Veco · 19 May 2012 at 12:38

You can move your active windows key to another pc but it would require a reinstall of windows and it would de activate it on the old pc. You can keep all your files though. Look at disk images.