read and help for people with time

[largosama]

If i am having a new computer and i need an operating system. The catch is: All my cool stuff is on the old computer and i dont feel right begging my friends to lend me software again. Is it possible to configure the new drive (partition, format, etc...) and copy the files from the old one into the new one? I am using Windows Xp for both Pc's.

[ZANEY123]

Using programs from someonelse's disk's isnt to welcome here. but to answer your question other than ghosting it (which i am not sure about the program files ) but normally with programs you have to reinstall but i think ghost will work.

Zaney123

[Tuf]

Windows XP is an Operating System. You can copy your drive from one to the other. You'll need an additional license for XP though. Unless you are planning on removing it from the PC. If that's the case just install it like normal in your new PC and then put your old drive in and copy your data to the new drive.

[largosama]

What? So Window's xp will not let you boot from a copy of the new drive?

[largosama]

sorry, a copy of the OLD drive

[Tuf]

There's alot ways to do this. I am not completely sure what you have and what you don't have. So it's kinda hard to tell you what to do.

Do you own a copy of Windows XP?

[largosama]

Yes, Home Edition

[Tuf]

That's good!

The best way is to install it on your new drive like you normally would. When you are done installing it and any drivers you need shut the computer completely down. Then just hook your old drive up as a slave and copy over data you want to.

You could Ghost a copy of old drive to your new drive but it will still contain info about your old hardware and I think makes for a messy and sometimes not very reliable installation.

Most programs will need to be reinstalled but that's the only way to end up with a good reliable system. You'll need to remove XP from the other computer if it was installed using the same license you are going to be using now.

[largosama]

Sounds easy enough. the only part that worries me is the "Removing of XP form the other computer" please elaborate. make it explanatory cause im signing off for the day after that. Remember, i live on the east coast...

[Tuf]

XP is only licensed to be on one computer at a time. That's what the product activation is all about. Verifying that it isn't installed on another computer. Depending on how long it has been since you activated it may ask you to call M$ for a new product key. It's no biggie you can call 24 hours a day and it's toll free. They will give you a new key(50 digit number) to type in. But then your other install no longer has an active license. So if you are selling the computer you'll need to erase the drive or format it. Then you can sell it blank, put something else on it, or put another copy of XP on it. But you can't have one license installed on two different computers at the same time.