do you have do buy windows xp if you get a new hard drive?

Question

So is windows IN your computer. Like for example I can take out the hard drive and insert a new one the just easily re install xp. without a cd.

The hard drive is burn out... like completely wont work

Answer 1

You didn't really say what purpose the new hard drive is to serve, so I'll cover a couple of scenarios:

(1) You need to replace a defective old drive or are replacing an older smaller drive:(and wish to boot from the new one): No, you will not need to buy another copy of Windows XP. If you have an XP cd or a recovery cd, you can install that way.
(2) You bought a new drive to augment the old drive, you plan on booting from the old drive, using the new one for storage. You really don't need windows installed on that drive to access your data in this case, simply make sure it is formatted.
(3) You want to be able to boot from both the old and new drive on the same computer. Not really necessary in most cases, but desirable under some circumstances, you should be able to do so from both a technical and legal standpoint.
(4) You have a broken computer(which had Win XP) and wish to use a new hard drive in a new computer. In this case, you are simply moving your license for windows from one computer to another. You will probably need to call Microsoft and manually activate it. Also, in most cases, the recovery cd from the old computer will not work, so you will need to have the actual windows xp cd.

Answer 2

If Microsoft has their way, yes. However, no. You purchased a license for that computer and a faulty hard drive does not invalidate your license IN THEORY. In practice, many people buy a NEW license anyway because:
1. They lost the original Windows CD. (Or, they bought a computer, which includes the license, but often does not include a recovery CD.)
2. They lost the original Windows CD KEY.
3. They have the CD and the numbers, but got frustrated trying to reactivate it.
The best solution to this problem is to dump Windows, and get Kubuntu at www.kubuntu.org because:
1. You wont have to pay for the first CD
2. You wont have to pay for the next one either.
3. You dont ever have to activate anything, and, most importantly it is open source and immune to at least 114,000 virii that attack Windows!

Answer 3

If your previous winXP was a legitimate version, all you need is use the HD maker utility program to clone from the old then give Microsoft a call if problem occur such as key requisition. Some people use the key retrieve program found online, but I personally try avoid it due to violation of licensing agreement.

Is your PC remain the same with only new HD, it should work without and hassle.

Answer 4

just upgrade to windows vista.

if you do have windows xp already, just inset the disk after you finish insalling the hard drive and do a clean install, just put in the existing product key and activate it, there should be no problem

Answer 5

Yes. A new licence is required for a fresh installation of any operating system. Except if you are using the system utility discs from the manufacturer of your computer.

Answer 6

No. You might need to call Microsoft to activate XP.

Answer 7

Go buy windows vista not xp.

Answer 8

Hi. Not necessarily. But you may have to reactivate it.

Answer 9

No, you could use Linux.