[lucky pierre]

I have a relative who's XP Pro SP3 installation is in need of urgent repair/re-installation. Rather than try to re-install XP Pro onto her old harddrive I would like to buy a new harddrive and install XP Pro onto it, using the original XP Pro CD. However, I would like to do this installation on my computer and then remove the harddrive and install it into her computer.
Is there any hardware detection issues here? Should the new harddrive with XP Pro simply plug into her PC and run even though I installed XP Pro while it was installed on a different PC. Will XP Pro detect the change in PC and not run or will it all operate smoothly?

 

[rossdisco]

You can install on yours and transfer across no problem.

The one thing you will need to do is find and download all relevant drivers for the PC in question which can be found on the manufacturers website.

Though repair should not be ruled out:
Malwarebytes always the first program to use for virus infected computers, superantispyware also and a boot time scan with the antivirus program installed is always a good start.

 

[joeten]

Hi it would be best practice to install the hdd and install the os on the computer it is going to operate from different machine different drivers and hardware,you have not said whether it is a tower or laptop post either the make and model or the make and model of the motherboard

 

[rossdisco]

you have not said whether it is a tower or laptop post either the make and model or the make and model of the motherboard

... Yes this is why i tend not to comment on forums.. My advice perhaps was a little hasty :4-thatsba

 

[joeten]

No worries it is not that it cannot be done it is just more hassle and laptops may need further steps for things like sata

 

[lucky pierre]

Thank-you for the very quick replies. It is a tower PC. I don't have the MB brand details with me but I think it is a Gigabyte and about 3 years old. I think you are correct in suggesting best to install on the actual PC particularly if drivers become an issue.

 

[joeten]

Ok when you get to the machine you can remove the side left side when looking front on, and the mobo will have a model number on it once you have it go to the support page for ie gigabit and find the board, the drivers for it will be on the makers site download to a usb device or burn to a disc (disc would be usefull for later in case you neeed to reinstall)then you can install them

 

[sobeit]

you will have far less hassle if you install the drive in her computer then install the os. If you use your computer to install the os, then there is a good chance her computer will not even boot when you install the drive. You will then have to basically reinstall with a repair install.

 

[lucky pierre]

Thanks sobeit. I am now going to re-install XP Pro directly onto her PC as you suggest. I have done a re-install on a PC but many years ago. I will need to brush up on the best way to go about this. If anyone has a link to show me the best way to re-install XP Pro, including re-formatting and re-partitioning the harddrive that would be of great assistance. I figure I it's just a matter of inserting the XP Pro CD prior to starting the PC and following the prompts???

 

[sobeit]

just follow the on screen prompts. before doing anything, make sure all important files are backed up. If unable to boot as is get a linux live cd, boot to it then back any files she wants to save.

you can get a linux live cd from ubuntu

Download | Ubuntu