Partitioning HDD to transplant HDD from current computer to new one.

[Sirrus]

Hey folks.

I have a goal that I was hoping you guys could help me achieve. I want to take the HDD out of my current computer, put it in my new computer temporarily, use the same OS and retain all the files and move it back to my current computer when I get a new HDD and Windows 7 for my new computer.

I've heard that the solution involves partitioning and installing the OS again. I need more information, specifically if this can be easily accomplished.

Thanks.

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[XRobo]

You could always get a little more memory, for example a memory card ( the ones you plug in the motherboard. I use these since I have no HDD lol) and just take everything you have piece by piece off your old HDD to your new HDD.

[Sirrus]

You could always get a little more memory, for example a memory card ( the ones you plug in the motherboard. I use these since I have no HDD lol) and just take everything you have piece by piece off your old HDD to your new HDD.

I don't have a new HDD though. Getting data from one HDD to another is not a problem, I'm wondering if it's realistically possible and fairly fail safe to take one HDD and its OS and use it on new hardware.

[XRobo]

I don't have a new HDD though. Getting data from one HDD to another is not a problem, I'm wondering if it's realistically possible and fairly fail safe to take one HDD and its OS and use it on new hardware.

It's not entirely failsafe, I heard HDD's are very sensitive when it comes to electrical malfunctions. Make sure you are using a good source of electricity and don't have anything turned of besides your PC, lights and maybe a TV. But it really depends on what network you have and what the size of your house is. I'd say the bigger your house is, the bigger the chance the HDD is going to malfunction.

[Tokerovin]

I don't have a new HDD though. Getting data from one HDD to another is not a problem, I'm wondering if it's realistically possible and fairly fail safe to take one HDD and its OS and use it on new hardware.

I feel like "Failed to load BOOTMGR.INI" is going to make you blow its dirty rooster. Something between the registry and BiOS/CMOS is going to piss itself. Make sure that your CMOS settings have the new hard drive as the primary one. You can edit the booting in msconfig if you can get Win7 to load without a problem. Don't quote me on any of this though.

[Sirrus]

I was talking to the IT guy at my school and he says that so much of what Windows does is tied into the specs of the computer because of the nature of Windows and that trying to boot it on a new chipset would cause an instant blue screen.

[XRobo]

What you say is true, Sirrus.

I tried plugging in a new Ram card but windows didn't boot up.

 I think you should try moving everything you have to a HDD or a huge memory chip. Install windows without the crap you had on the old PC, transfer the files and sell the memory chip. I can't think of another way.

[Sirrus]

I don't think I'm even going to bother at this point. I'm just going to install everything except the hard drive and ODD and at least see if the BIOS recognizes all of the hardware.