can I set up a new system with my current HD?

XP-Rookie · #1 03-13-2004, 12:46 PM

Hi everyone,

I've just finished assembling & mounting all the hardware for my new PC, and I'm at that stage where I could use some tips. My current PC is a Dell P2 500MHz running WinXP Pro. New PC is (or will be in a matter of hours, I hope) a P4 3.0GHz, also running WinXP, on an Abit IC7-Max3 board.

Specifically, my questions are: Can I grab the hard drive from my Dell, connect it to the Abit, and go from there? If yes, what steps do I need to take? Do I simply boot up as I normally would and let WinXP install all the new hardware, etc? Or should I start with those 6 boot-floppies and have the CD-ROM in the drive when I first power it up?

Any tips would be much appreciated.

thanks
--the Rookie

scouse · #2 03-13-2004, 06:49 PM

Xp will see the amount of hardware changes, plus the mobo will not allow the Xp to boot up due to the fact that the chip sets will be different form the last mobo it was set in..You can ofcourse aslong as you have the Xp software just reinstall xp a fresh..

If you have the origonal XP disc then you can also do a repair without needing to do a fresh install. The repair will change all the right drivers over for you and everything should boot fine.

to do the repair put your XP Disc in the drive boot the comp up go through all the normal onscreen instructions till you get to the point were it says do you want to install or repair choose install the next screen will then offer you the chance fo a repair again, this time choose repair, it will ask you to put your licence number in do that, allow it to repair itself when it is done your Comp should boot up and work normaly.
Although you will of lost your Service pack1 and other critical updates from M$ but just reinstall those.

But if you have nothing important on the drive then jus t go a fresh clean install.

ultrasolve · #3 03-13-2004, 07:46 PM

You can do what your planning, by using the "sysprep" tool which can be found in the Deploy.cab file in the \Support\Tools folder on the Windows XP Professional operating system CD.

Before you use the tool remove any file encryption or protection that you have setup. When deployed the "sysprep" tool strips all the security and personal info from the os and at the next boot up will take you to a mini setup menu where you enter the relevent details such as cd key, regional options etc.

Before you think about going this way I suggest that your read the article on sysprep at the Microsoft web page. After you have read it and have any questions then post back and I will try and answer them for you.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...c_cai_dkfj.asp

XP-Rookie · #4 03-13-2004, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the "sysprep.exe" tool tip. I read the article, but I'm still plenty confused. For example, do I insert my XP Disc into my Dell to run sysprep, then put it into the new Abit PC?

I might need some step-by-step instructions for this - if it's not too much trouble, could you email it to me? Or, if the forum allows it, attach a file to your next post so that others can learn how to use sysprep, too.

thanks!

Exodus 88 · #5 03-14-2004, 11:03 PM

if you take the disc that came with your new motherboard and install the chipset drivers while using that hd on your old comp it should work, just remember to boot into safe mode aftyer the switch and open up device manager and make sure its got all your new shit,
thats the fastest way

XP-Rookie · #6 03-15-2004, 06:28 PM

Sounds simple enough. Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

XP-Rookie · #7 03-19-2004, 05:39 PM

Hey Exodus 88,

Just in case you were wondering, that option didn't work. I couldn't load the new chipset drivers on my HD while still in the old PC. The installation process halted immediately and I got a message stating that the new chipset drivers were unnecessary because my OS (XP Pro SP1) already supports the IC7 Max3's chipset. But I suppose it might have worked if I was still running Win2k.

thanks anyway