is it possible to take out the old harddrive with old files and stuff and replace it with a new one, will it be like a completely freshly bought computer or will traces of the old stuff remain?
2006-10-22 14:09:38 · 12 answers · asked by choco taco 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
nothing will remain. its like new. make sure the hard drive fits ur computer
2006-10-22 14:12:25 · answer #1 · answered by kmm333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is defintaly possible. TAke off the old stuff, put it on a CD or a removable usb hard drive, for example. The install a new hard drive, load Windows and put back the old data. You will need to wipe the disk completely clean so there are no traces of data on the old disk. A program you can use can be found at: http://www.r-wipe.com/
2006-10-22 21:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by thunder2sys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be a completely new computer basically as the hard disk is your only permanent storage aside from your complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS). You may need to reset the CMOS. there is a pin on the motherboard for this with a jumber as on the hard drive. Simply remove it from pin two and three while powered down, place on pin one and two, then put back on two and three. Install new hard drive boot up and you are in the new. Good luck!
When buying your new drive, keep in mind that one that is larger than 130 gigs will not be recognized in full if you are using windows XP or older hardware versions until you get the most recent service packs for the OS version. so for instance if you buy 250GB drive it will only show as 130 until you get those SP's in, so don't panic.
2006-10-22 21:17:39 · answer #3 · answered by burnemwill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes choco it is,ihave done this but you will need to reinstall windows off your windows installation disk if you have one.you're old computer hard drive is the only thing that all your files and everthing else is contained on,so when you put a new hard drive into your computer,you are basically starting from scratch.so no none of your old stuff will remain on your computer unless you have made back up files from your old hard drive which you may use in your new hard drive.also you may have to re-activate windows which i have also answered someone's question about so if you have any problems about this i will more than happy to tell you about this procedure,also make sure that your motherboard in your computer can take the size of your new hard drive and if you are planning to get rid of your old hard drive make sure any sensitive data on it is permanently erased.contact me at(bug_ste@yahoo.com)if you have any problems.
2006-10-22 21:48:45 · answer #4 · answered by bug_ste 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can replace your existing hard drive with a new one. This will not substitute buying a new computer, but depending on the hard drive you purchase you can increase your performance, by a smal amount.
When you buy a hard drive, keep in mind that you will need to backup your documents, music, pictures, bookmarks, and etc. You will also need to reinstall your Operating system (i.e. Windows XP, Ubuntu Linix, Mac OS X, etc).
I would recommend purchasing a hard drive that spins at 7200RPM, and has an 8MB or 16MB cache. Preferrably a Westen Digital Caviar drive.
2006-10-22 21:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by John W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2 reasons
the harddrive may not be compatible
if that is not the reason
then this is
Since u are putting a new motherboard together with the old harddrive, you need to reinstall your running program, Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
that alone will wipe your memory
so really
yes, you can
but all your files are gone
THAT IS UNLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you split your current harddrive to 2 partitions
and transfering all of your files to the 2nd partition
when you reinstall windows or wateever u use
save it to the first partition and you will have your files
but, ur gonna have to find out how to do taht
2006-10-23 00:14:32 · answer #6 · answered by Eng 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. In terms of all software (good and bad) yes it will be new. In terms of upgrades, no, since your old components will remain. But if you want to get a new HD, you can probably just get another one (if you have another drive bay) or just reinstall Windows (or whatever OS you're using) to wipe it.
2006-10-23 01:09:17 · answer #7 · answered by Eridani 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hard drive is the soul of the computer you remove it and you remove everything. However if you are planning to trash your old drive please wipe the drive they sell software to do that. If you don't people could reconstruct your hard drive and steal your info off of it.
2006-10-22 21:18:23 · answer #8 · answered by BumbleBee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not. If a car gets a new engine, is the car new? Not quite. Getting a new HD or erasing your old one just lets you start over
2006-10-22 21:30:50 · answer #9 · answered by delores4830 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No hard drive simply says how much space your pc has
2006-10-22 21:34:48 · answer #10 · answered by biglouie121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋