Will switching my Laptop HDD into a new one be an issue?

[doomrider7]

Ok, I have a Samsung Ativ 8, but it suffered a damaging blow and as a result I can no longer charge it due to damage to the motherboard section where the charge port was, but other than that it runs perfectly. My question is, if I buy the EXACT same model and make of Laptop, can I just put in my HDD from my old one and but up like nothing or will I run into any issues?

 

[cdabc123]

nope. you will not be able to due to a few reasons, 1. (the biggest) windows licences are normally bound to the pc so you will not be able to load windows on the new computer unless you buy a new license. 2. alot of the software on your computer is installed so you will have to reinstall it all on the new computer.

 

[doomrider7]

nope. you will not be able to due to a few reasons, 1. (the biggest) windows licences are normally bound to the pc so you will not be able to load windows on the new computer unless you buy a new license. 2. alot of the software on your computer is installed so you will have to reinstall it all on the new computer.

If I'm basically switching the HDD's how/why would installation be an issue, ditto for the Windows thing as my "old" HDD has Windows on it already and again it would all be the exact same make and model of PC? Just curious since I've read of people being able to make this work, but with desktops though hence my asking if it was doable to laptops. Alternatively, would getting the Motherboard repaired/replaced impact the HDD?

 

[cdabc123]

i dont believe they could get it to work with a desktop unless they reinstalled everything including windows to the new pc. windows has made it so it is not possible to just switch the hard drive with windows on it to a new computer, even if it is the exact same modal.

 

[doomrider7]

i dont believe they could get it to work with a desktop unless they reinstalled everything including windows to the new pc. windows has made it so it is not possible to just switch the hard drive with windows on it to a new computer, even if it is the exact same modal.

Damn. How about the Moterboard fix? The diagnostics guy said he could do it for $400 which is actually cheaper than the $600 it would cost to replace my laptop, but I forgot to ask him if it the HDD would be affected. And I know it wasn't part of the question or topic and I apologize since this is likely not the section for it, but what about alternative charging methods since the charge port is the only thing affected?

 

[cdabc123]

you might be able to solder on a new charging port, that would be BY FAR the cheapest solution

 

[doomrider7]

you might be able to solder on a new charging port, that would be BY FAR the cheapest solution

According to the guy an actual piece of the Motherboard cracked so that got ruled out quickly, but I'd need to look at it. Still, thanks for all the help and I like how this website helps out and gives advice and solutions to all questions.

 

[rehed21]

I don't see any reason it shouldn't work (inserting old hard drive into new laptop) - the OS and software will work fine. If it is not an exact match, you may need to update some drivers, which is no big deal. As far as the license, assuming the new laptop has a license, just enter the new license (change product key).

 

[cdabc123]

I don't see any reason it shouldn't work (inserting old hard drive into new laptop) - the OS and software will work fine. If it is not an exact match, you may need to update some drivers, which is no big deal. As far as the license, assuming the new laptop has a license, just enter the new license (change product key).

um, no that would not work a windows license is bound to the hardware of the computer and you will have to reinstall the os as well as everything else on the computer. replacing the motherboard might be the next best option, if you did it it would probably be a lot cheaper then $400

 

[rehed21]

"a windows license is bound to the hardware of the computer"

Yes, exactly. With the new hardware of the new laptop (same make/model so drivers shouldn't be much of an issue), you would install the license for that new laptop onto your old OS on the old hard drive by using "Change Product Key" in Windows.

Replacing the motherboard would be cheaper. He may or may not need to purchase a new Windows license as the license is tied to the motherboard, but Microsoft will likely allow him to transfer it if he does a phone activation.

 

[doomrider7]

I don't see any reason it shouldn't work (inserting old hard drive into new laptop) - the OS and software will work fine. If it is not an exact match, you may need to update some drivers, which is no big deal. As far as the license, assuming the new laptop has a license, just enter the new license (change product key).

Old thread and took me long enough to buy it, but I got an exact replica of my old laptop and swapped the HDD's. It didn't even need to update drivers or anything and just turned on and worked like nothing was ever wrong. Mind you for anyone who wants to try something similar, it needs to be the EXACT model or it WILL NOT WORK!

 

[rehed21]

I'm glad that it worked out for you.