Pre-loaded HDD??

[Gman]

Still futzing around with installing XP Pro on a new HDD (vendor
replaced the failing HDD - they also sent the CD install suite that
includes XP Pro and all of the 'free' software that came factory
installed),

During my trials and tribulations, the thought struck me, I wonder if
it would have been possible for the vendor to send me a HDD pre-loaded
with all of that software (including XP) like the HDD was when I bought
this laptop from them less than a year ago?

If so, all I would of had to do is PnP the new HDD. Am I thinking
right, or does XP have to be installed on the HDD by the system that is
going to be using it?

If it can be pre-installed, does anybody know of any vendors who do
that for HDD's that fail during the warranty?

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

If loaded by the system that is going to use it, there is no necessity to
run a repair install in order to set up all of the correct system device
drivers..