Hard Disk cloning

[gatsu38]

I have a very easy question for you: I have to clone an internal Hard Drive with windows7 from a laptop, and use this clone on a desktop machine, will the new motherboard read the Hard Drive partition with windows7 without problems? I wanted to do it using XXclone0.58.0 on Hiren's boot cd and with a usb to sata adapter and an Internal Hard Drive. After that I'll simply use the cloned Internal Hard Drive on my desktop. Will the motherboard read the Hard Disk or is going to have compatibility problems? Two years ago I changed my motherboard and the new one couldn't load the OS untill i formatted it and installed a new one, on the other hand to backup the files I brought the HD to a friend, and his machine could easily load my OS.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

You cannot clone a Windows installation from one computer and use it on a different computer, all the drivers will be incompatible and it'll run like a lame dog if it runs at all. But more importantly, if the Windows installation on the laptop was pre-installed at the factory it's an OEM copy that's tied to that's laptop's motherboard so it's illegal to use it on another computer.

If you want to put Windows 7 on your desktop PC you will have to buy an installation DVD with licence & unique product code.
You can still get hold of legal Windows 7 discs from Amazon and other legitimate sources. Maybe Ebay too but some of them can be dodgy discs or pirated repacks so beware. Check the seller's feedback or stick to online commercial vendors only.

 

[gatsu38]

Thank you for your answer and time. How do you explain that I've been able to switch the HD on a computer of a friend, I guess I had an incredible luck in that case. My question is only to expand my knowledge.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Sometimes moving a Windows installation to a different computer does work, sometimes not, it depends on the similarity of the hardware.
But that doesn't change the fact that's it illegal on two counts:

1) Copying/cloning a factory pre-installed Windows for use on a different PC is illegal.

2) Running two Windows installations with one product key is illegal unless you have a multi-user licence.