Moving XP from one computer to another

Martingale00 · 03-19-2007, 07:54 PM

Hello all, I want to completely uninstall XP to be able to use it for my next build (retail version). I have never uninstalled an OS before and from what I've read on the web you're supposed to boot up in safe mode, sign in with an administrative account, then go to add/remove and see it listed there. I've done that and don't see anything about removing Windows except a box about "removing Windows components" but that just has the option to remove individual features (Internext explorer, messenger, ect.) but not the whole program. What am I missing here? What should I be looking for under add/remove? Will using the Windows disk allow me to uninstall?

Thanks.

Andy128 · 03-19-2007, 08:49 PM

I assume that you are moving the hard drive (containing the OS) to the new computer. There is no need to un-install.

I would recommend that you save (back up) everything onto another hard drive or discs and then do a fresh install. That would mean formating the hard drive and then installing windows.

It is seldom a good idea to install windows over an existing windows OS.

I do not have the links here with me- but if you do a search on fresh windows install- you will find a couple threads that have great links and tutorials here in the forum. Post back if you cannot find them and I will look also.

Also- you will likely need to call MS and let them know that you have installed that XP onto a new computer. Otherwise- during the activation, you will be prompted to do so as it will not match their records.

Andy

Martingale00 · 03-19-2007, 10:44 PM

Hi Andy, no I am going to have to use a new hard drive. Reason being is that the current HD is the old school ribbon band style and I am going to an SATA hard drive. The motherboard I am using wont have an extra input for the old type of HD so I really don't have a choice. So basically I guess I have to uninstall windows and do whatever deactivation is necessary to transfer it to a brand new computer and activate it. Thanks for your help, any ideas on swapping hard drives? Maybe I should have asked about deactivation as well...

Andy128 · 03-19-2007, 11:21 PM

Swapping hard drives- simply copy all your documents/files/pictures onto disc(s) or external hard drive and then copy them to the new computer when it is up and running.

No need to uninstall or de-activate XP. Smiply load the XP disc into the new computer and install it. When it comes time to activate it- you will likely need to call MS and tell them that you installed the XP on a new system. They will then make note of that and activate this copy of XP to your new box.

Thats all there is to it.

Andy

Martingale00 · 03-19-2007, 11:29 PM

Oh, that's all I have to do...install Windows on the new machine and when the activation box pops up it will prompt me to call them and they can activate it? That sounds great. Then will they deactivate it on the old machine? What if the old box isn't hooked up to the net anymore, will they still be able to do this? I am pulling the wireless card out of the old box so it will be unattached to the net so Microsoft wont be able to access it to deactivate or varify anything.

Andy128 · 03-20-2007, 12:12 AM

Martingale-

When you activate XP on the new computer it will no longer be associated with the old computer. And to be honest- you should format that drive and wipe it out completely. If you were to put the old computer back on line -once it connects to the MS there will be a conflict as it will now have two computers with the same OS on them. This will prompt a nasty e-mail from MS asking you to explain yourself.

So- simply do not use that old computer anymore. If you don't want to bother formating it and plan to throw it out anyway- then take a hammer to the drive and then throw it away.

CHeers-
Andy

Martingale00 · 03-21-2007, 01:50 PM

Hello Andy, actually what I am going to do was sell the computer to a friend. I thought there was a way to uninstall Windows. I didn't think much about it before because I trust him but after reading your post I will format the HD. I suggested to him that it would be easier for me to just simply sell him the computer with the current Windows installed and then he give me his copy of Windows but I guess it doesn't really matter who ends up with what disk if I am going to wipe everything out anyway...he's going to have to reinstall if I format it. Thanks for your help.

Andy128 · 03-21-2007, 02:16 PM

No problem and wise move. Everyone sleeps well then.

One more thing- if he bought the computer from a store with XP already on it then it is an OEM XP operating system. That OS is good only for that computer and can NEVER be moved to another computer. Your XP is a retail version and as such -you can move it from computer to computer as you upgrade or in the event that your computer gets damaged in a fire or a electrical surge. If your friends gets hit by a surge with an OEM version- he is out of luck as he CANNOT install that OS on his new computer.

Just food for thought when making swaps!

Cheers-

Andy

03-19-2007, 07:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Martingale00 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 153 OS: Windows XP	Moving XP from one computer to another Hello all, I want to completely uninstall XP to be able to use it for my next build (retail version). I have never uninstalled an OS before and from what I've read on the web you're supposed to boot up in safe mode, sign in with an administrative account, then go to add/remove and see it listed there. I've done that and don't see anything about removing Windows except a box about "removing Windows components" but that just has the option to remove individual features (Internext explorer, messenger, ect.) but not the whole program. What am I missing here? What should I be looking for under add/remove? Will using the Windows disk allow me to uninstall? Thanks. __________________ - Athlon X2 4600+ (@ 2.77GHz), 2GB DDR2-667, 8800GTS-320 (@ 600/830), Antec 500w PSU, Audigy 4, Windows XP - Core 2 Duo E6400, 1GB DDR2-667, X1300 Pro, Windows XP

03-19-2007, 08:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andy128 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 380 OS: xp	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another I assume that you are moving the hard drive (containing the OS) to the new computer. There is no need to un-install. I would recommend that you save (back up) everything onto another hard drive or discs and then do a fresh install. That would mean formating the hard drive and then installing windows. It is seldom a good idea to install windows over an existing windows OS. I do not have the links here with me- but if you do a search on fresh windows install- you will find a couple threads that have great links and tutorials here in the forum. Post back if you cannot find them and I will look also. Also- you will likely need to call MS and let them know that you have installed that XP onto a new computer. Otherwise- during the activation, you will be prompted to do so as it will not match their records. Andy

03-19-2007, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Martingale00 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 153 OS: Windows XP	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another Hi Andy, no I am going to have to use a new hard drive. Reason being is that the current HD is the old school ribbon band style and I am going to an SATA hard drive. The motherboard I am using wont have an extra input for the old type of HD so I really don't have a choice. So basically I guess I have to uninstall windows and do whatever deactivation is necessary to transfer it to a brand new computer and activate it. Thanks for your help, any ideas on swapping hard drives? Maybe I should have asked about deactivation as well... __________________ - Athlon X2 4600+ (@ 2.77GHz), 2GB DDR2-667, 8800GTS-320 (@ 600/830), Antec 500w PSU, Audigy 4, Windows XP - Core 2 Duo E6400, 1GB DDR2-667, X1300 Pro, Windows XP

03-19-2007, 11:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andy128 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 380 OS: xp	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another Swapping hard drives- simply copy all your documents/files/pictures onto disc(s) or external hard drive and then copy them to the new computer when it is up and running. No need to uninstall or de-activate XP. Smiply load the XP disc into the new computer and install it. When it comes time to activate it- you will likely need to call MS and tell them that you installed the XP on a new system. They will then make note of that and activate this copy of XP to your new box. Thats all there is to it. Andy

03-19-2007, 11:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martingale00 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 153 OS: Windows XP	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another Oh, that's all I have to do...install Windows on the new machine and when the activation box pops up it will prompt me to call them and they can activate it? That sounds great. Then will they deactivate it on the old machine? What if the old box isn't hooked up to the net anymore, will they still be able to do this? I am pulling the wireless card out of the old box so it will be unattached to the net so Microsoft wont be able to access it to deactivate or varify anything. __________________ - Athlon X2 4600+ (@ 2.77GHz), 2GB DDR2-667, 8800GTS-320 (@ 600/830), Antec 500w PSU, Audigy 4, Windows XP - Core 2 Duo E6400, 1GB DDR2-667, X1300 Pro, Windows XP

03-20-2007, 12:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Andy128 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 380 OS: xp	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another Martingale- When you activate XP on the new computer it will no longer be associated with the old computer. And to be honest- you should format that drive and wipe it out completely. If you were to put the old computer back on line -once it connects to the MS there will be a conflict as it will now have two computers with the same OS on them. This will prompt a nasty e-mail from MS asking you to explain yourself. So- simply do not use that old computer anymore. If you don't want to bother formating it and plan to throw it out anyway- then take a hammer to the drive and then throw it away. CHeers- Andy

03-21-2007, 01:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Martingale00 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 153 OS: Windows XP	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another Hello Andy, actually what I am going to do was sell the computer to a friend. I thought there was a way to uninstall Windows. I didn't think much about it before because I trust him but after reading your post I will format the HD. I suggested to him that it would be easier for me to just simply sell him the computer with the current Windows installed and then he give me his copy of Windows but I guess it doesn't really matter who ends up with what disk if I am going to wipe everything out anyway...he's going to have to reinstall if I format it. Thanks for your help. __________________ - Athlon X2 4600+ (@ 2.77GHz), 2GB DDR2-667, 8800GTS-320 (@ 600/830), Antec 500w PSU, Audigy 4, Windows XP - Core 2 Duo E6400, 1GB DDR2-667, X1300 Pro, Windows XP

03-21-2007, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Andy128 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 380 OS: xp	Re: Moving XP from one computer to another No problem and wise move. Everyone sleeps well then. One more thing- if he bought the computer from a store with XP already on it then it is an OEM XP operating system. That OS is good only for that computer and can NEVER be moved to another computer. Your XP is a retail version and as such -you can move it from computer to computer as you upgrade or in the event that your computer gets damaged in a fire or a electrical surge. If your friends gets hit by a surge with an OEM version- he is out of luck as he CANNOT install that OS on his new computer. Just food for thought when making swaps! Cheers- Andy Last edited by Andy128 : 03-21-2007 at 02:20 PM.