Transferring OS and file from one hard drive to new larger one

[milneum]

Hello all,

I am in a bind with my now old desktop ( using xp). Recently my mobo from my old desktop fried and I decided to build a new rig. I don't have any knowledge if my hd is in tact or not right now. I built a new pc ( all except for the optical drive and case which will be replaced in the near future) and all parts are new. I have 2 1tb sata hard drives in which I want to transfer xp onto and then use my windows 7 upgrade disk on. I know that I can't just hook up my old hd and think it'll fire up right. My other problem is that the old pc was a compaq with proprietary xp OS on the disk. I have my OS xp disk but don't know if it will let me run it on the new rig. My mobo and all other parts are different than what my old pc's BIOS is looking for. Is there anyway that I can get this old hd to work in my new pc long enough to upgrade on to the bigger hd's?

I don't have the pockets to go out and get win 7.
I'd appreciate all the advice !



Thanks,

 

[jgutz2006]

how to install windows 7 with a fresh and clean installation using upgrade media:

http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-128512

Ive done it that way and worked out just fine!

 

[milneum]

jgutz2006

Thanks for that article. Your post along with that article has eased my mind. I am waiting for my cpu (2days) and I will definitely keep this article close when I am ready to get my rig up and running.

Thanks ,

 

[casper1973]

Legally speaking - NO, you can not do this.

The copy of XP you have is registered to the Compaq PC and is non-transferable. This means you have no licence for the new PC, which in turn means you are not eligible for the upgrade licence.

You can try installing XP on the new machine and attempting activation but chances are it will be rejected.