HD with OS from other computer

[noneoftheabove]

So I am doing my first build and scrapping many of the parts from my Dell E510. Pretty much everything but the motherboard and possibly ram. So i need to know, the hard drive that has the windows xp OS from the dell so can i use that in the new computer without any re installation? If not then will the specially formatted dell operating system cd recognize that this is the hard drive from the dell and so install without a problem? Im hoping that i wont have to fork out more money for a new os.

[Ob1]

you can't use the dell system disc on your new build. it is tied to the motherboard and bios of your dell e510.

you have to purchase a new copy of windows for your new pc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116056

[noneoftheabove]

I do have another computer with a regular windows xp OS on it. Is it possible to change that to the new computer w/o changing the HD?

[glc]

Yes, if you remove that installation of XP from that computer.

[noneoftheabove]

How would i do that?

[Ob1]

delete the partition from the hard drive

boot to the xp disc and just delete the partition then exit the setup. or use a tool like killdisk to wipe the drive.

make sure to backup any data on that drive before wiping it out.

[jeromebrill]

you can't use the dell system disc on your new build. it is tied to the motherboard and bios of your dell.

Not entirely true. I had a Dell 8300 and the Mobo went bad. I decided to build my PC around the 3.0GHz P4 that was in it. After I built it I used the same harddrive but windows went into activation mode. I called and explained I replaced my mobo and they re-registered it under the new specs. Not sure if they were suppose to but they did. I just redid my computer again two days ago. After installing XP from my Dell dics I was for sure I would have to call them up to get it activated. Although I put in the Dell Product key that I saved off my case and my info and It activated and registered. Unfortunately that wont work if your not even the person registered under the OS that was installed in the first place. Mine was a kind of work around. Although its still the original processor lol

[glc]

Thing is, the Dell disk may not even let you start Setup if it sees a non-Dell bios.

Jerome, workarounds may be possible, but any workaround is in violation of the license. The Dell product key is only licensed to be used on the Dell it shipped with, and a replacement with a non-Dell motherboard makes it no longer a Dell computer.

[jeromebrill]

I didn't try to deceive any Microsoft representative, or purposely do a work around. I replaced my mobo. I told MS what I did, including the built pc with the original Dell processor and they still activated it. Honestly, whether or not its licensed to dell or not, its not my problem they activated it. Its not like I'm going around a giving people copies of my XP or building more than one computer with the same disc. I felt paying Dell twice as much for a replacement mobo was ridiculous.

[glc]

I'm not accusing you of anything, but I do need to point out the forum rules - specifically rule 9. We do not assist people here with doing things that are not legal. If M$ bought off on what you did, congratulations. However, we cannot advise people here to do things that violate licensing. I understand your position, but you do not own the software, you only possess a license to use it as per the terms in the licensing agreement.

A retail copy of XP can be transferred to another computer. However, it must be removed from the old computer. An OEM copy may not be transferred according to the licensing agreement.

[ITlover]

As far as I know the activation code is also mentioned on the motherboard and if you lose the code, then you can open up the computer casing and see it written on the motherboard.

[Panama Red]

As far as I know the activation code is also mentioned on the motherboard and if you lose the code, then you can open up the computer casing and see it written on the motherboard.

Not sure where you got this idea but it is NOT true. The Product Key is contained within the Registry but nothing is physically written on the motherboard.

[noneoftheabove]

so if it is oem then it wont work?

[Ob1]

correct. you have to purchase a new copy either OEM or Retail.

if you go with Retail you will be able to transfer the retail copy of windows to another machine as long as you uninstall it from the old machine.

If you go with OEM then you can put it on your new pc but once again, you will then be stuck with that copy of XP on that machine with no chance of transfering it to another machine at some future date.

[noneoftheabove]

with the dell cd that i have i am having problems uninstalling the os. Am i doing something wrong besides sticking the cd in or should i do something else?

[glc]

Let's go back to the beginning. You cannot use the Dell install of XP or the Dell CD in a different computer. To remove XP from a computer you have to wipe the hard drive. To install XP on a non-Dell computer you need to use a non-Dell CD.

[noneoftheabove]

correct, i wanted to wipe the hard drive and i was told that i must use the cd in my dell to wipe it.

[glc]

Not necessary - you can use any number of 3rd party utilities. You can use the zero fill utility from the hard drive manufacturer - it will be part of the diagnostic package. You can use Active Killdisk or Darik's Boot and Nuke. You could even use a Win98 startup floppy and use Fdisk to remove the partitions.

[LittleGhoti]

NoneoftheAbove in his original post said he was keeping the Dell Motherboard and ram "Pretty much everything but the motherboard and possibly ram." So why not use the Dell CD that is linked to that motherboard.

[noneoftheabove]

no i said that i was scrapping everything from the dell but the mobo and ram which i am buying.

[rwest]

If you want to save some money on your upgrade, you can buy the upgrade version of XP. It will require a previous copy of an original windows disk, but it does not have to be loaded. There is a problem with XP upgrading from 200pro though. I think any other version 95 or better will allow you to do so. You will get a valid authenticity code with the upgrade.

I'm not sure of what all the differences are between the full version and the upgrade, but I think its just drivers. It's the concept of having them already or searching online for them. I found it really worth it for the difference in Price.

I have this upgrade version of XP on a Compaq. I partitioned and formatted the Compaq to remove all thier extras and took over the space and resources they were using with thier recovery partion and extra stuff. The propietary version of XP is really worthless, it's so full of garbage it's not funny. I did have to remove this version from another pc I had it on, but it is movable. I just had to call M$ and explain what I did.

[noneoftheabove]

actually it doesnt matter any more because i have a friend who has windows 2000 software that i can use

[noneoftheabove]

but thanks for all the help

[noneoftheabove]

o ya one more thing, when i clear the hard drive and install windows will i have to reinstall all the drivers or will an active internet connection do that for me? And i am still trying to decide how i should clear my drive what is the best idea for 3rd party software?

[glc]

i have a friend who has windows 2000 software that i can use

Please read forum rule 9. This is not legal unless you have a Windows 2000 or XP Pro license. XP Home license is not good enough.

but I think its just drivers

There is no driver difference. There is essentially no difference in price between the upgrade and the full OEM. It's full retail that costs more.

[noneoftheabove]

this guys dad was an it so he has a lot of computer software. im sure that it isnt oem and that it has the liscense.

[glc]

Drivers will all have to be installed, they should all be on the motherboard CD. The quickest zero fill is at www.killdisk.com. However, you can simply boot with the OS CD and remove the partitions as part of the setup process. If the drive is larger than 120gb you need to have SP4 already incorporated on a 2K CD.