Combining Two Computers Running Same Windows XP Upgrade

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Alright, at the end of the summer, I am buying a new laptop. At that point, I
will combine the computer that is currently at my house, a Dell Optiplex GX1
with a six gigabyte harddrive running Windows XP SP2 (updated after
installing a new install of Windows XP "Version 2002" SP1, upgrade disk, from
Windows 2000 Pro), with the computer at my father's house, an HP Pavilion
with less memory capabilities, a nearly 40 GB harddrive running the same XP
mentioned above (in this case, Upgraded from Windows 98, crashed, formatted,
and installed with XP Upgrade from Win98 full CD at boot and updated to SP2).
Now, I know how to use Maxtor's (the creator of both harddrives) Maxblast,
but would that break the Windows EULA? I mean, they were upgrade using the
same CD and product key, would it work?

Basically, I want to put the hard drive (40 GB) into the Optiplex, using a
copy of the 6 GB hard drive already installed. I would back up all the files
on the 40 GB (about 5 GBS of software, unneeded) and then use Maxblast. Would
I have to (A) do a repair install of the "old" Windows XP SP1 over the copied
SP2, or (B) reactivate my Windows upgrade license?

Help?
 
Dizzy said:
Alright, at the end of the summer, I am buying a new laptop. At that point, I
will combine the computer that is currently at my house, a Dell Optiplex GX1
with a six gigabyte harddrive running Windows XP SP2 (updated after
installing a new install of Windows XP "Version 2002" SP1, upgrade disk, from
Windows 2000 Pro), with the computer at my father's house, an HP Pavilion
with less memory capabilities, a nearly 40 GB harddrive running the same XP
mentioned above (in this case, Upgraded from Windows 98, crashed, formatted,
and installed with XP Upgrade from Win98 full CD at boot and updated to SP2).
Now, I know how to use Maxtor's (the creator of both harddrives) Maxblast,
but would that break the Windows EULA? I mean, they were upgrade using the
same CD and product key, would it work?

Basically, I want to put the hard drive (40 GB) into the Optiplex, using a
copy of the 6 GB hard drive already installed. I would back up all the files
on the 40 GB (about 5 GBS of software, unneeded) and then use Maxblast. Would
I have to (A) do a repair install of the "old" Windows XP SP1 over the copied
SP2, or (B) reactivate my Windows upgrade license?
Click to expand...


You'd probably get more replies if you re-composed that for easier
comprehension.

*TimDaniels*
 
Dizzy said:
Alright, at the end of the summer, I am buying a new laptop. At that point, I
will combine the computer that is currently at my house, a Dell Optiplex GX1
with a six gigabyte harddrive running Windows XP SP2 (updated after
installing a new install of Windows XP "Version 2002" SP1, upgrade disk, from
Windows 2000 Pro), with the computer at my father's house, an HP Pavilion
with less memory capabilities, a nearly 40 GB harddrive running the same XP
mentioned above (in this case, Upgraded from Windows 98, crashed, formatted,
and installed with XP Upgrade from Win98 full CD at boot and updated to SP2).
Now, I know how to use Maxtor's (the creator of both harddrives) Maxblast,
but would that break the Windows EULA? I mean, they were upgrade using the
same CD and product key, would it work?

Basically, I want to put the hard drive (40 GB) into the Optiplex, using a
copy of the 6 GB hard drive already installed. I would back up all the files
on the 40 GB (about 5 GBS of software, unneeded) and then use Maxblast. Would
I have to (A) do a repair install of the "old" Windows XP SP1 over the copied
SP2, or (B) reactivate my Windows upgrade license?

Help?
Click to expand...

Short answer to a confusing, rambling post. Because the version
of Windows XP on both computers appear to be OEM versions, the
better course of action would be to buy the laptop with Windows
XP installed by its OEM, re-install the applications and transfer
the data, document, etc., files to it. The important thing is not
that of merging the OS's but preserving the data. And remember,
with OEM versions, XP can only reside in the system with which it
came, i.e., not transferrable.
 
Alright, sorry it was confusing. The laptop info is unneeded. Both were
UPGRADED to Windows XP using the same upgrade cd and license key. This disc
installs Version 2002 (SP1) of Windows XP. Both of the computers I am
combining (Dell Optiplex w/ 220 MB RAM and 6 GB HD and HP Pavilion w/ 160 MB
RAM, 40 GB HD and CD-RW drive) run the same updated (with Automatic Updates)
version of Windows XP SP2. I am trying to move the forty gigabyte harddrive
and the CD burner to the Optiplex. I would also like to move the contents
(with XP) to the larger hard drive and have it in the Dell. Neither XP copies
are OEM at all.

I hope it helps and, if you need it, I'll tell more.
 
You should uninstall SP2 (Add/Remove Programs) if you are using install
media that is "pre-SP2", or else you will get errors during "repair"
install.
 
Ground Cover said:
You should uninstall SP2 (Add/Remove Programs) if you are using install
media that is "pre-SP2", or else you will get errors during "repair"
install.
Click to expand...

Will I have to repair install? Help me out by leading up to repairing.
Alright, here are my steps:

1. Back up important data.
2. Format 40 GB HD
3. Connect two HDs to one PC
4. Use Maxblast
5. Hook in larger drive
6. Continue on with life...
would that work?
 
Well, if you continue to boot from the harddrive that was originally in the
same computer, you do not need to do anything vis a vis installing WIndows.
If you want to boot from a drive from another computer now placed in this
one, then a repair install might be necessary. If so, you should remove SP2
before using pre-SP2 Windows discs.
 
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