When copying my old HD to my new one, would the fact that they have different OS's matter?

Question

I'm getting a new computer tonight, and I want to be able to copy my current HD (by simply installing it and dragging and dropping) to my new one, but I'm not sure that the fact that they have different OSs would matter. The old one has XP Pro, and the new one has XP home. Also, are there any other things I need to consider?

Answer 1

Depedning onhow you are copying the files from the old computer yes, it matters.

Fir best results for stuff like email and settings use the FILE AND SETTINGS TRANSFER WIZARD. On the old computer open it up START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESORIES> SYSTEM TOOLS > FILE AND SETTINGS TRANSFER WIZARD.

Click NEXT, select this is the old computer. On the transfer method select the method (network will take the least amount of time if you have one setup), select to a folder on the harddrive if you have space i.e. OTHER and BROWSE. After you browsed to the path click NEXT. Make a selection of what you want to transfer and click NExt and then Finished

Goto where you saved the files and burn them to cd, or copy them to a flash drive or jsut something you can use on the new computer. On the new computer open the files and settings wizard slect this is the new computer and NEXT. Make your selection, i prefer I dont need a disk bla. NEXT follow instructions from there on.

wether it will work is unsure since your are copying files from the better XP pro tothe not as good XP home and i am not sure the Wizard can do that wiithout a snag.

For dropping and dragging just network the 2 and set your new drive as a network drive on the old pc. Drag the files to the networked drive ( i say old pc because XP pro is better for networking and i am not sure if XP HOME lets you mount a network drive since it hasn't got certain core networking features)

Answer 2

copying an OS -hardcontinual to hardcontinual is frequently referred to as " ghost copying". it truly works, yet u ought to stumble upon some issues contained in the destiny. because no longer all records / archives would properly be copied. So, that is more effective positive to reformat the hardcontinual and re-installation a clean OS in it. previously doing it, decrease back-up first all of your needed or significant archives. Coz reformatting your HD will reason records eliminating.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter if they have a different OS unless you have dual boot. But If you set HD1 as the primary drive and as the first boot device then, you will be able to see the second one (HD2) in Windows and see your files.

Make sure you set the old HD as your slave.

If you need help... let me know..

Answer 4

I'm not an expert, but from what I've seen except for command prompts most of microsoft's OS's are fairly compatible. It really just depends on which types of documents you're trying to copy. Hope that helps! :)

Answer 5

Yes - don't do it. You can copy data but trying to copy all the files, OS etc will not work and may even cause problems with the new one.

Answer 6

I don't think so, my hubby has to do that all the time for people where he works but he's neve done it the way you're doing it. I think he burns the info to a CD then just downloads it to the new drive. Do you have service pack 2? if not go to microsofts website and check out the download for it.

Answer 7

You must set new HDD to primary master and the old one to slave. Then when you boot Windows, it will find new hardware install drivers automatically and want to restart. Restart then your computer and now you can easily copy all your files.

Answer 8

if you want copy ur files only, then it doesn't matter.