reusing my old hdd

[llama_shockz]

so yesterday i built a newish pc (i reused my old ram, psu and gpu) and i want to reuse my old harddrive with all my files and games on it, can i just plug it straight in and will it work?

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Assuming you want to reuse Windows be aware of problems detailed below

If you want to plug in old hard drive as an addition to New Windows hard drive less problems but programs not re usable until re installed but data available (subject to account access problems)

Assuming the hard disk has Microsoft Windows of some version on it it is likely to object during startup mainly due to different motherboard chipset especially the hard disk controller chipset and drivers.

most likely BSO 0x0000007C

If the Windows is OEM the licence is not transferable to a different motherboard and you will get a warning message that it needs to be reactivated.
(but cant be activated anymore unless you pursuade Microsoft call centre staff that old motherboard died and no equivalent replacement motherboard is available)

If you prepaired in advance you can remove motherboard specific drivers and also registry settings for hard disk controller.
(Google:- Fix_7hdc.vbs (Vista or 7) or Fix_HDC for win XP or Microsoft SYSPREP or Acronis )

Though most people will correctly recommend a fresh install of Windows if changing the motherboard

regards
Mike Barnes