I would like for it to still be seen as a genuine copy of windows on the new drive. Windows was pre installed so I do not have it on disc.
2007-03-13 09:13:50 · 12 answers · asked by Rex 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
A program called Ghost made by symantec will do the trick & clone your original drive,.
"However" XP may detect a new hard drive as it details will be diferent from the last drive & you will then have to re-activate it with Microsoft. But if its a genuine copy then just re-enter the key.
2007-03-13 09:21:23 · answer #1 · answered by jamesoliver 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have 2 options:
1) if you bought the computer new, you may have gotten a disk that is called the windows xp recovery or re-installation disk. You can use this to re-install windows xp from scratch on your new hard drive. Once completed, you can copy documents over to your new drive from your old one prior to formatting.
Advantages: you get a fresh install of windows xp on your new disk
Disadvantages: you will have to re-install drivers, updates, service packs and applications depending on how old your disk is and it can take a bit of time
2) Get an application that can "ghost" or "image" your existing hard drive, usually to DVD and then re-copy that image onto your new hard drive.
Advantages: this should copy all of your data, applications, settings etc. and is quite fast depending on the software you choose.
Disadvantage: any slightly dodgy software, applications, settings etc. will be copied over to your new hard drive. You need a DVD writer.
One of the best for this is Norton Ghost 10.0
2007-03-13 09:29:28 · answer #2 · answered by MPatrinos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Concur with James O. You'll probably have to re-activate XP when you boot off of your new hard drive, but it should be OK as long as you have the product key. Since you don't have a disk, the product key should be on a tag somewhere on your computer. Make sure you write it down beforehand, so you have it handy at boot time.
2007-03-13 09:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by Navigator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DriveCopy is the best solution for cloning (copying) your old hard drive to a new one.
You wont have to re-activate or register Windows, DriveCopy also partitions and formats the new drive for you.
2007-03-13 09:28:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is that possible? So theoretically, you could then remove the H/D, fit it to another computer, and have a free. albeit probably illegal, copy of Windows!
Yep, I know, I'm answering your question by asking the same question, but it's a good question, so it's ok for it to asked twice. Better than the guy who wanted to know if cats taste good!
2007-03-13 09:25:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO
You need to install new copy if you using a new drive.
2007-03-13 09:23:07 · answer #6 · answered by maxiangelo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can clone your old drive to the new one with XXClone
http://www.xxclone.com/
it's free; windows checks for hardware changes (up to 4 in a 120 day period) so hopefully you should be ok; if you need to reactivate, say your old drive was dying on you...
2007-03-13 09:37:16 · answer #7 · answered by zoomjet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you absolutely HAVE to change your drive? Could you not add the new one as a secondary? In that case, you could slave the new one, keep your operating system on the old one, and have the extra storage the new one will add.
2007-03-14 02:33:32 · answer #8 · answered by twentieth_century_refugee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i might propose re-loading your domicile windows working device onto the recent 100gig force (set this because of the fact the generally taking place) then you certainly can purely pass the archives from the 40gig force (set this because of the fact the secondary). secure mode won't help.
2016-10-18 07:21:42 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your local computer shop (NOT PC World) will be able to "clone" the original hard drive so you lose nothing.
2007-03-13 09:18:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋