Old* OS HD into new PC; Possible? Tips?

Woodenhead · 03-20-2008, 07:14 PM

I'm building a new PC next week (parts should arrive then, and I can't wait!) I would really like to transfer my current C: drive into it. It's only a few months old, and I reformatted it last month - finally, it's exactly how I want it, perfect. What a pain it was, though. haha (Disclaimer: I was gonna rebuild in another 6 months or so, but my sis came through with some unexpected tech deals that I couldn't turn down)

So, here's the specs:

2 SATA HDs --> 250GB (C:, OS - Win XP), 1TB (Slave, storage)

Power Supply - OCZ GameXstream (700 W)

Sound Card - ASUS Xonar D2X PCI-E

Video Card - Radeon HD 3870 X2

Case - Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Motherboard - ASUS Maximus Formula

RAM - Mushkin HP PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800

Heatsink - Thermalright IFX-14 Heatpipe CPU Heatsink Cooler

Fan - Scythe Slip Stream

Anyway, after poking around a bit, I found scattered bits of info saying I could probably get away with doing a repair install, which should fix any driver issues (maybe). I just don't wanna go through another 4 days or more of re-installing everything again. So I'm here looking for a few ideas / pointers. BTW I'm currently running a full backup to an external drive, using ShadowProtect Desktop Edition, for safety's sake etc. ...

pre-edit - damn I just realized that my current OS is from a Win XP Dell install disc - I imagine it won't work with my new rig? If not, I can use another fresh XP disc to install / repair from.

Anyway, thanks for your time, folks!

craigwatanabe · 03-20-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodenhead

I'm building a new PC next week (parts should arrive then, and I can't wait!) I would really like to transfer my current C: drive into it. It's only a few months old, and I reformatted it last month - finally, it's exactly how I want it, perfect. What a pain it was, though. haha (Disclaimer: I was gonna rebuild in another 6 months or so, but my sis came through with some unexpected tech deals that I couldn't turn down)

So, here's the specs:

2 SATA HDs --> 250GB (C:, OS - Win XP), 1TB (Slave, storage)

Power Supply - OCZ GameXstream (700 W)

Sound Card - ASUS Xonar D2X PCI-E

Video Card - Radeon HD 3870 X2

Case - Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Motherboard - ASUS Maximus Formula

RAM - Mushkin HP PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800

Heatsink - Thermalright IFX-14 Heatpipe CPU Heatsink Cooler

Fan - Scythe Slip Stream

Anyway, after poking around a bit, I found scattered bits of info saying I could probably get away with doing a repair install, which should fix any driver issues (maybe). I just don't wanna go through another 4 days or more of re-installing everything again. So I'm here looking for a few ideas / pointers. BTW I'm currently running a full backup to an external drive, using ShadowProtect Desktop Edition, for safety's sake etc. ...

pre-edit - damn I just realized that my current OS is from a Win XP Dell install disc - I imagine it won't work with my new rig? If not, I can use another fresh XP disc to install / repair from.

Anyway, thanks for your time, folks!

You can use any fresh XP disc (I assume you mean the entire OS is on that disk right), but remember if you use an XP installation disk that's already registered with another computer, you may have registration issues.

Woodenhead · 03-20-2008, 08:49 PM

yeah, the entire OS is on that disc. I just don't want to re-install everything (OS & apps etc.) after the switch, and wanted to make sure it would even boot...

**emosun** · 03-20-2008, 11:35 PM

If your os is designed for dell computers then it will refuse to boot with an after market board and you will need to reinstall the os with a regular non oem version of xp.

Also check out the nvidia 9800 gx2 , its out now and is more powerful then the 3870 x2 and bout only 600$.

Woodenhead · 03-20-2008, 11:38 PM

Thanks for the reply. That really sucks. :-( oh well. time for bed now.

PS: I already got my vid card, & I got it for $360 CAN, thanks to a special someone. ;-)

03-20-2008, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Woodenhead Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Okanagan, BC, Canada Posts: 128 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (64) SP1 My System	*Old OS HD into new PC; Possible? Tips?** I'm building a new PC next week (parts should arrive then, and I can't wait!) I would really like to transfer my current C: drive into it. It's only a few months old, and I reformatted it last month - finally, it's exactly how I want it, perfect. What a pain it was, though. haha (Disclaimer: I was gonna rebuild in another 6 months or so, but my sis came through with some unexpected tech deals that I couldn't turn down) So, here's the specs: 2 SATA HDs --> 250GB (C:, OS - Win XP), 1TB (Slave, storage) Power Supply - OCZ GameXstream (700 W) Sound Card - ASUS Xonar D2X PCI-E Video Card - Radeon HD 3870 X2 Case - Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Motherboard - ASUS Maximus Formula RAM - Mushkin HP PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 Heatsink - Thermalright IFX-14 Heatpipe CPU Heatsink Cooler Fan - Scythe Slip Stream Anyway, after poking around a bit, I found scattered bits of info saying I could probably get away with doing a repair install, which should fix any driver issues (maybe). I just don't wanna go through another 4 days or more of re-installing everything again. So I'm here looking for a few ideas / pointers. BTW I'm currently running a full backup to an external drive, using ShadowProtect Desktop Edition, for safety's sake etc. ... pre-edit - damn I just realized that my current OS is from a Win XP Dell install disc - I imagine it won't work with my new rig? If not, I can use another fresh XP disc to install / repair from. Anyway, thanks for your time, folks!

03-20-2008, 08:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodenhead Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Okanagan, BC, Canada Posts: 128 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (64) SP1 My System	*Re: Old OS HD into new PC; Possible? Tips?** yeah, the entire OS is on that disc. I just don't want to re-install everything (OS & apps etc.) after the switch, and wanted to make sure it would even boot...

03-20-2008, 11:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,988 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	*Re: Old OS HD into new PC; Possible? Tips? If your os is designed for dell computers then it will refuse to boot with an after market board and you will need to reinstall the os with a regular non oem version of xp. Also check out the nvidia 9800 gx2 , its out now and is more powerful then the 3870 x2 and bout only 600$. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list**

03-20-2008, 11:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Woodenhead Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Okanagan, BC, Canada Posts: 128 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate (64) SP1 My System	*Re: Old OS HD into new PC; Possible? Tips?** Thanks for the reply. That really sucks. :-( oh well. time for bed now. PS: I already got my vid card, & I got it for $360 CAN, thanks to a special someone. ;-)