i have another lap top that has a 40 gb hard drive in it with all my files that i need to access.. but the monitor broke.. so i was wondering if i could take that hard drive and put it into this laptop.. im guessing it is safe because i cant see why it wouldnt be.. but i figured i would ask before i break this one too lol.. my other computor is a windows XP professional HP laptop and this one is Windows media center XP, acer laptop... is this safe to do? thx
2007-01-11 03:37:17 · 13 answers · asked by James 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
It is safe, but you have to make sure your 40GB drive will fit in the other laptop.
Also if you have a Bigger drive in the other laptop, just copy your data over, don't change it for the smaller drive.
2007-01-11 03:44:36 · answer #1 · answered by Venom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sort of.
The operating system will probably have to be reinstalled in order to get it to work. A better option would be an enclosure that is designed to take a laptop drive and convert it into a portable USB drive. They start at about $10.
The link below is for 2.5" IDE drives (if it doesn't work (I'm not sure if it's running off a cookie on my PC you can navigate to it by clicking Home Home > Computer Cases & External Enclosures > External Enclosures > size : 2.5"). If you have a smaller drive or a SATA drive you would need to look for those features.
Once you install the drive in the enclosure, you can copy whatever files you want to the laptop. You can also delete all the non-data files from what is now an external USB drive. The advantage of this is that you will end up with an external drive you can use for whatever and you will not have to mess with the OS.
Good luck.
2007-01-11 11:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's safe but it won't work like you are thinking. more than likely, once you install the drive, windows xp will not boot, since it is now working with different hardware. Starting in safe mode may help. I'm guessing that you do not have a windows disk and that may be a problem for you. If you do have a windows disk, go to the store, get a $20 case for the drive and put the files on some other computer for a bit. install it in the computer and then format it so you can do a clean install. then move your files back.
2007-01-11 11:44:36 · answer #3 · answered by cheme54b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know what you are doing, then yes, it is fine. If you don't know what you are doing, and you may be doing this for the first time, or just kind of "experimenting", then don't expect the computer to work after you are finished with it.
Keep in mind, opening a laptop PC is not as easy as opening a desktop PC. Also, the drivers for the different devices (sound card/video card/ethernet card) may not be the same, which may cause problems, and the OS doesn't seem like it is the same either, with is another sign of a potential problem.
If you want this to work, I reccomend taking it to a PC shop, and make sure you go to one where the techs are A+ certified.
.
2007-01-11 11:39:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely, that's probably your best bet. In case you don't want to break into the inside of the laptop just yet, you can always get a case for the drive and hook it up externally to your USB drive to spare any warranties you may have on your laptop. Good luck :)
2007-01-11 11:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Harsh Noise Wall 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear friend
I will suggerst you to use a converter to data from broken laptop, bcz the OS doesnot recognise the new hardware & the windows will not start.
Prdaeep
2007-01-11 11:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by prakut_delhi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
screw laptops ur hard drive is probaly filled with hard guys with long strides and strong thighs all oily and thinner dont spoil me dinner hey im not irish why do i have the axcent why bit ch must u ask this about computers im from jupitar so that makes me jupolean i have dinomite but its not nepolean try to fight ask ur mom what hole put it in
2007-01-11 11:47:08 · answer #7 · answered by Thumbz Down 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jim: yea if your "Lap Top" needs entension with more speed
take the monitor in for repairs first refer http://www.compusa.repairs/service.com because the Cd-
writer./DvD -Rom Combo must have 48x32x16x48 speed required upon reinstallments ok ?
2007-01-11 11:52:46 · answer #8 · answered by toddk57@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may luck out, but if it crashes due to drastically different hardware, you will have to reinstall XP from scratch.
2007-01-11 11:40:53 · answer #9 · answered by Gitix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but perform a virus scan on the drive
2007-01-11 11:44:26 · answer #10 · answered by discover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋