Can I Re-Use My HDD?

[Chowski14]

So I am thinking about building a computer. I currently own a pre-built 600ish dollar pc and I am looking to build a new one. I have a 120gb ssd and 750gb hdd. Already with windows 8 installed and all my programs. Since I am going to go intel with my new pc and the power supply in my current pc is really loud, the only thing I would consider using is my hard drive. So is it possible? Will it automatically recognize that windows is already installed on the hardrive and normally boot up but recognize different parts?

 

[laviniuc]

you could, yes. probably best to install the new motherboard drivers while you're on the old pc if the installer will run, this way when you plug it in the new it will find the drivers and just use them.

the hdd controller one is the one i'm worried about, you could get to a blue screen on the first run, if that happens you need to plug back in the old, install the intel drivers for ahci (intel inf drivers) before.

edit: also on the first run it will ask for a restart. do that as soon as it asks.
edit2: a clean system is a better idea, so a clean reinstall and keep just the data from the old is a safer choice.

 

[Hello man]

So I am thinking about building a computer. I currently own a pre-built 600ish dollar pc and I am looking to build a new one. I have a 120gb ssd and 750gb hdd. Already with windows 8 installed and all my programs. Since I am going to go intel with my new pc and the power supply in my current pc is really loud, the only thing I would consider using is my hard drive. So is it possible? Will it automatically recognize that windows is already installed on the hardrive and normally boot up but recognize different parts?

Could work, but also might not. Here are a few problems that could happen: 1. Your computer may not boot at all because the processor, RAM and literally everything else is different. Windows will have no drivers for anything. 2. It certainly will not work if you are switching processor platforms or generations. If you are going from an AMD based pc to an Intel one, or vice versa, it will probably not even try and boot. 3. Windows may ask to have its product key re-entered. If you have it, this shouldn't be a problem. If you don't, you will be royally screwed. Other than that, give it a go .

 

[idamaster]

I asked the same question in another thread. I believe that its difficult to have windows work properly with a new motherboard and that you will have to do a fresh install of windows since there will be lots of issues with the data related to your old hardware.

 

[bignastyid]

If your copy of windows is the OEM preinstalled version of windows 8 it's non transferable, its locked to the motherboard. You could re use the SSD and/or HDD but you would need to buy a new copy of windows and do a clean reinstall on the new machine.

 

[Chowski14]

So I am thinking about building a computer. I currently own a pre-built 600ish dollar pc and I am looking to build a new one. I have a 120gb ssd and 750gb hdd. Already with windows 8 installed and all my programs. Since I am going to go intel with my new pc and the power supply in my current pc is really loud, the only thing I would consider using is my hard drive. So is it possible? Will it automatically recognize that windows is already installed on the hardrive and normally boot up but recognize different parts?

Could work, but also might not. Here are a few problems that could happen: 1. Your computer may not boot at all because the processor, RAM and literally everything else is different. Windows will have no drivers for anything. 2. It certainly will not work if you are switching processor platforms or generations. If you are going from an AMD based pc to an Intel one, or vice versa, it will probably not even try and boot. 3. Windows may ask to have its product key re-entered. If you have it, this shouldn't be a problem. If you don't, you will be royally screwed. Other than that, give it a go .

Guess I am better off to not risk it. Damn, could have saved myself some cash xD

 

[idamaster]

Not to thread jack, but if you had a HDD or SSD crash and you had to reinstall your windows on a new disk using an OEM CD, are you able to do that?

 

[bignastyid]

Not to thread jack, but if you had a HDD or SSD crash and you had to reinstall your windows on a new disk using an OEM CD, are you able to do that?

The preinstalled OEM versions are locked to the motherboard not the HDD or SSD.