Quick Hard Drive Question...
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: The Land of Beer and Chocolate
Maybe is one answer.
A standard 2.5" drive will fit, but there may be issues with Windows as you have effectively changed the PC and that could mean it needs revalidated.
It will work, but windows might not.
A standard 2.5" drive will fit, but there may be issues with Windows as you have effectively changed the PC and that could mean it needs revalidated.
It will work, but windows might not.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
BRL,
I assume you mean to replace the HDD in the new PC with the HDD from the old PC.
The physical transfer is relatively straightforward, although you will probably find that the disk is installed in a "caddy" that you would need to extract it from to swop over. Possibly tricky and fiddly.
The next problem is that, unless the computers are identical, the chipset, video, network, sound drivers etc. are all going to be for the wrong PC. This really is a big problem, and is effectively almost insurmountable.
You can do a Windows Repair from the original install media (install, repair), which might work, but it is (in my experience) more hassle and less reliable than simply re-formatting and doing a clean install. Obviously you have to have all your data and settings backed up, and access to all the installation media for all the applications you want to install.
The next problem you might run into is a lack of drivers for XP on the PC that currently has Vista. It is a low probability, but possible.
The final problem as hellsbrink points out is to do with Windows validation. The original windows XP installation would see so many changes to the system that it would require revalidation.
The fact that the OS installed on the new PC is Vista has no bearing - as soon as you remove the disk there is NO OS installed!!
SD
I assume you mean to replace the HDD in the new PC with the HDD from the old PC.
The physical transfer is relatively straightforward, although you will probably find that the disk is installed in a "caddy" that you would need to extract it from to swop over. Possibly tricky and fiddly.
The next problem is that, unless the computers are identical, the chipset, video, network, sound drivers etc. are all going to be for the wrong PC. This really is a big problem, and is effectively almost insurmountable.
You can do a Windows Repair from the original install media (install, repair), which might work, but it is (in my experience) more hassle and less reliable than simply re-formatting and doing a clean install. Obviously you have to have all your data and settings backed up, and access to all the installation media for all the applications you want to install.
The next problem you might run into is a lack of drivers for XP on the PC that currently has Vista. It is a low probability, but possible.
The final problem as hellsbrink points out is to do with Windows validation. The original windows XP installation would see so many changes to the system that it would require revalidation.
The fact that the OS installed on the new PC is Vista has no bearing - as soon as you remove the disk there is NO OS installed!!
SD
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 154
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From: UK
BRL,
Are you just wanting to transfer the data from your old laptop to your new one, or do you want your new one to "function" like your old one?
Data transfer is relatively easy, but, as SD says, just swapping hds' is like walking into a minefield
Are you just wanting to transfer the data from your old laptop to your new one, or do you want your new one to "function" like your old one?
Data transfer is relatively easy, but, as SD says, just swapping hds' is like walking into a minefield
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Brighton. UK. (Via Liverpool).
Thanks for the info guys. I now have a 'Caddy' and have transfered all the porn, I mean personal stuff to my laptop.... 
I now have the hard drive empty and have just formatted it. Could I simply plug it in now and store digital photgraphs on it, is it as easy as that?
I now have the hard drive empty and have just formatted it. Could I simply plug it in now and store digital photgraphs on it, is it as easy as that?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
I now have the hard drive empty and have just formatted it. Could I simply plug it in now and store digital photgraphs on it, is it as easy as that?
SD
Wunderbra
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Bedford, UK
If the old drive held any personal info, for example bank details, passwords etc. then it would be well worth making sure that all the data is properly deleted. A format doesn't do that, it merely over writes the file allocation table, so that all the data is still there, and recoverable with freely available software.
You can get hold of free software to ensure that all such sensitive data is effectively destroyed, barring a full and expensive forensic search of the areas between the tracks on the disk.
This software:-
Eraser
does the job nicely, although it will take some time depending on the size of the disk and number of overwrites selected. For a basic level of protection against software recovery one pass should be sufficient.
You can get hold of free software to ensure that all such sensitive data is effectively destroyed, barring a full and expensive forensic search of the areas between the tracks on the disk.
This software:-
Eraser
does the job nicely, although it will take some time depending on the size of the disk and number of overwrites selected. For a basic level of protection against software recovery one pass should be sufficient.
Administrator
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
matt_hooks,
You are correct - but surely that would only be relevant if he were disposing of the disk?
If he is keeping it then it is not necessary - or at least no more than protecting the data on the laptop itself.
SD
You are correct - but surely that would only be relevant if he were disposing of the disk?
If he is keeping it then it is not necessary - or at least no more than protecting the data on the laptop itself.
SD
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Lincolnshire
There is a change of use of the drive and its overwriting of data may be less than in its original role.
It is also much easier for someone to steal a usb drive or it could become damaged quite easily.
Eraser is quick and cheap (free?)
