Move install from old machine to a new build

[ken]

I have XP running on a Pentium 4 system and will be upgrading to a newer
processor and mb (Core 2 Duo). Is it possible, if not necessarily
desirable, to move the hdd with the OS installed into the new system?
Or must I do a new install?

Thanks
Ken K

 

[philo]

I have XP running on a Pentium 4 system and will be upgrading to a newer
processor and mb (Core 2 Duo). Is it possible, if not necessarily
desirable, to move the hdd with the OS installed into the new system? Or
must I do a new install?

Thanks
Ken K

If it's not OEM

a repair install may do the trick...but backup your data first


Google for "repair install" if you need help

 

[JS]

It possible, I've done it a number of times,
(http://www.pagestart.com/repairinstall.html)
so read the info below.

Using your original Windows Setup CD,
boot from the CD and follow all the instructions until you get to the point
where Setup finds your current Windows installation.

Just follow the instructions posted at one of the web sites below,
read each of the steps carefully so you understand what you will be doing a
step by step before you actually start the repair process.
Windows will keep your previous settings, including applications and
device drivers.

Word of warning: Always backup any important data files just incase
things don't go as expected. Read all three articles mention below
"carefully" and see if a Repair Install meets your needs

See: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
and: Windows XP Repair Install - How extreme can you go
http://www.pagestart.com/repairinstall.html

Also: How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341
Fred Langa:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

If the PC boots and you are able to logon, then check 'Device Manager' and
look for any Yellow ?
You may need to re-install the device drivers or if you are moving to a new
computer then
have your driver disk ready as you will need to install the Chipset drivers,
LAN, Sound any possibly
others.

Finally go to Windows Update site and install all the updates as they will
need to be reinstalled.

 

[Anna]

I have XP running on a Pentium 4 system and will be upgrading to a newer
processor and mb (Core 2 Duo). Is it possible, if not necessarily
desirable, to move the hdd with the OS installed into the new system? Or
must I do a new install?

Thanks
Ken K

Ken:
While it is possible, as you have heard from some responders to your query,
that you will need to undertake a Repair install of the XP OS on your
present HDD following the installation of your new motherboard & processor,
it's entirely possible the system will boot straightaway *without* the need
to undertake a Repair install of the OS. Should this occur, naturally you
will then install the necessary drivers and any desired auxiliary
programs/utilities from the motherboard's installation CD.
Anna

 

[Ian D]

I have XP running on a Pentium 4 system and will be upgrading to a newer
processor and mb (Core 2 Duo). Is it possible, if not necessarily
desirable, to move the hdd with the OS installed into the new system? Or
must I do a new install?

Thanks
Ken K

Is your P4 a 5xx or 6xx series with hyperthreading (HT)? If not,
that complicates things, as your present installation will have
a uniprocessor HAL. For the Core 2 you will need a multi-
processor HAL. A repair installation may suffice, or you
might have to reinstall. Personally, in this case I would opt
for a new install. It will entail a bit of work, but will give more
satisfactory results in the long run.

If your P4 is HT, and both chipsets are Intel, you may be able
to install the HD into the new system and have it operational.
You will have to install the Intel inf for the new chipset LAN,
video, and audio drivers to get rid of the yellow flags in Device
Manager. That's the best possible outcome. Otherwise a
repair install will probably work.

In either case, you will have to re-activate XP. If it's a retail
version, and it's over 120 days since your last activation, it
should activate on-line with no problems.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have XP running on a Pentium 4 system and will be upgrading to a newer
processor and mb (Core 2 Duo). Is it possible, if not necessarily
desirable, to move the hdd with the OS installed into the new system? Or
must I do a new install?

Thanks
Ken K

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM
installations are BIOS-locked to a specific motherboard chipset and
therefore are *not* transferable to a new motherboard - check yours
before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the one
on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to
perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point.
You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If
you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a
Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style
foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it,
is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any
old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it
"tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the
reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable
than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than
120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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