[Aerosol]

What's to stop me from ripping my the hard drive out of my laptop and using it for a new computer build, with the OS installed on it and everything? I have a vague idea of what stops that from happening, but I figured I'd just ask for a proper explanation. One that would hopefully be accompanied with a workaround. The HDD I chose for my new PC dropped off the face of the earth. I was getting ready to choose a replacement and I saw that, as a result of that HDD no longer being available, the total cost of my new PC is $282. I kinda like that.

[acrazyplayer]

AerosolSP, on 19 March 2013 - 02:44 AM, said:

What's to stop me from ripping my the hard drive out of my laptop and using it for a new computer build, with the OS installed on it and everything? I have a vague idea of what stops that from happening, but I figured I'd just ask for a proper explanation. One that would hopefully be accompanied with a workaround.

It completely depends on what operating system you are running and how that operating system got there, e.g. oem install, you bought windows xp and did a clean install etc.

Windows 7, vista, and xp are all tied to the motherboard and if that changes by either replacing the motherboard or putting the hdd in another computer, then you may some troubles getting it to reactivate, as in you may have to phone up Microsoft and say that your motherboard has been replaced.

Here is a site which may help you a lot more about that subject.

Now, if you are using some form of Linux with everything installed on just one hdd then you can easily swap it out with little problems, if any at all.

This post has been edited by acrazyplayer: 19 March 2013 - 04:44 AM

[Aerosol]

Yea I figured. Still, didn't hurt to ask.

[Midway the Echidna]

AerosolSP, on 19 March 2013 - 02:44 AM, said:

What's to stop me from ripping my the hard drive out of my laptop and using it for a new computer build, with the OS installed on it and everything? I have a vague idea of what stops that from happening, but I figured I'd just ask for a proper explanation. One that would hopefully be accompanied with a workaround. The HDD I chose for my new PC dropped off the face of the earth. I was getting ready to choose a replacement and I saw that, as a result of that HDD no longer being available, the total cost of my new PC is $282. I kinda like that.

That's no reason not to buy an SSD to store all of your operating systems and virtual machines and then just take the usable data off of your laptop hard drive. You can still use that other hard drive as your mass storage device and keep your files in it where they are accessible to your desktop and laptop. If you're like me and run Ubuntu and Windows 7 with XP, 98, and 95 VMs, this will help out greatly. 128GB is all the space you will ever need, but it only costs about $30 more than a $70 60GB SSD. You probably want to pinch your pennies, but I would focus on the storage and maybe save a buck by making my own case. You can do some cools things with a case that you make for yourself. All you really need is a drill, some bolts or screws, some nuts, and a fish tank. A budget computer doesn't need a big ATX Mid Tower, so why not make your own smaller, better case. I have 2 extra PWM fans if you want them, and I'd be happy to help you do the job in PM.

acrazyplayer, on 19 March 2013 - 04:28 AM, said:

AerosolSP, on 19 March 2013 - 02:44 AM, said:

What's to stop me from ripping my the hard drive out of my laptop and using it for a new computer build, with the OS installed on it and everything? I have a vague idea of what stops that from happening, but I figured I'd just ask for a proper explanation. One that would hopefully be accompanied with a workaround.

It completely depends on what operating system you are running and how that operating system got there, e.g. oem install, you bought windows xp and did a clean install etc.

Windows 7, vista, and xp are all tied to the motherboard and if that changes by either replacing the motherboard or putting the hdd in another computer, then you may some troubles getting it to reactivate, as in you may have to phone up Microsoft and say that your motherboard has been replaced.

Here is a site which may help you a lot more about that subject.

Now, if you are using some form of Linux with everything installed on just one hdd then you can easily swap it out with little problems, if any at all.

I'm glad you brought up that point because that leads me to a big huge red flag: MIGRATING WINDOWS IS A MASSIVE PAIN IN THE NECK! The OS is tied to the motherboard AND the hard drive, so migration is a pain in the neck. Replace the OS on your laptop with something else first (clean install) and connect to the internet to register the new OS so Microsoft knows your licensed copy of Windows isn't on that laptop anymore, then try putting the OS on your new computer.

This post has been edited by Midway the Echidna: 19 March 2013 - 04:49 PM

[Aerosol]

I could buy an SSD. And still might. I don't even need 128GB. 64GB does me just fine.

[GerbilSoft]

Midway the Echidna, on 19 March 2013 - 02:52 PM, said:

I'm glad you brought up that point because that leads me to a big huge red flag: MIGRATING WINDOWS IS A MASSIVE PAIN IN THE NECK! The OS is tied to the motherboard AND the hard drive, so migration is a pain in the neck. Replace the OS on your laptop with something else first (clean install) and connect to the internet to register the new OS so Microsoft knows your licensed copy of Windows isn't on that laptop anymore, then try putting the OS on your new computer.

Microsoft isn't going to magically know that you removed a given Windows license from a laptop if you install another OS, especially if that other OS isn't Windows to begin with. (Not to mention dual-boot systems, where you have more than one OS installed on the same drive.) Typically, non-OEM Windows licenses allow activation on another machine after a given amount of time. (For XP, I think it was around 6 months.) OEM licenses are locked to the first system they're installed on permanently.

Also, migrating Windows to another hard drive or motherboard isn't a pain because of activation. It's a pain because Windows' bootloader is braindead and will fail to boot if the slightest hardware change is done. Motherboard changes always caused this problem on Windows NT-based systems, especially if the chipset is changed. HDD changes only caused problems starting with Vista, since the new boot manager is an awful pile of crap that hardcodes the HDD serial number. (This can be fixed by booting to the Windows install disc and running a BCD repair.)

This post has been edited by GerbilSoft: 20 March 2013 - 11:11 PM
Reason for edit: Dual-boot stuff.

[Midway the Echidna]

GerbilSoft, on 20 March 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

Microsoft isn't going to magically know that you removed a given Windows license from a laptop if you install another OS, especially if that other OS isn't Windows to begin with. (Not to mention dual-boot systems, where you have more than one OS installed on the same drive.) Typically, non-OEM Windows licenses allow activation on another machine after a given amount of time. (For XP, I think it was around 6 months.) OEM licenses are locked to the first system they're installed on permanently.

Also, migrating Windows to another hard drive or motherboard isn't a pain because of activation. It's a pain because Windows' bootloader is braindead and will fail to boot if the slightest hardware change is done. Motherboard changes always caused this problem on Windows NT-based systems, especially if the chipset is changed. HDD changes only caused problems starting with Vista, since the new boot manager is an awful pile of crap that hardcodes the HDD serial number. (This can be fixed by booting to the Windows install disc and running a BCD repair.)

To your first point- that's more or less what I was trying to say. The motherboard has outdated information, and it's not like it can report to Microsoft that it no longer has Windows.

To your second point- I didn't think of that other problem. I knew hard drive and motherboard changes throw a monkey wrench in everything, but I always attributed most of the problems to the motherboard. Activation still sucks and adds another layer of arbitrary complexity, but the bootloader really is the worst problem. WAT Remover was my answer, and it certainly helped.

Thanks for catching that! I'm glad other people are getting involved in the thread to verify suggestions and offer up better suggestions!

This post has been edited by Midway the Echidna: 21 March 2013 - 08:05 PM

[Lanzer]

Guys I almost have my parts picked out. Im still deciding on the graphics card though, I was told by HP to look through this list:
http://www.newegg.co...agp+8x+graphics

What do you guys reccommend? Remember here is a full specs scan from EVEREST:
http://pastebin.com/yc4VrXg9

[Skaarg]

About the only decent one on there is the HD 4350, but I would take the advice that's earlier in the thread and get a used HD 2600 for ~$15. It's older, but gets better performance.

[Lanzer]

Skaarg, on 26 March 2013 - 12:05 PM, said:

About the only decent one on there is the HD 4350, but I would take the advice that's earlier in the thread and get a used HD 2600 for ~$15. It's older, but gets better performance.

Is there anywhere I can buy it new? I know thats a long shot, but I'm really iffy when it comes to buying used parts especially graphics cards.

EDIT: Looking at that 4350, it doesn't seem to run good on win7 which is what I want to upgrade to, other then the 2600, any other reccommendations from either that list or something else?

This post has been edited by Lanzer: 04 April 2013 - 09:53 AM

[Skaarg]

Lanzer, on 02 April 2013 - 01:54 PM, said:

Skaarg, on 26 March 2013 - 12:05 PM, said:

About the only decent one on there is the HD 4350, but I would take the advice that's earlier in the thread and get a used HD 2600 for ~$15. It's older, but gets better performance.

Is there anywhere I can buy it new? I know thats a long shot, but I'm really iffy when it comes to buying used parts especially graphics cards.

EDIT: Looking at that 4350, it doesn't seem to run good on win7 which is what I want to upgrade to, other then the 2600, any other reccommendations from either that list or something else?

I saw a couple on amazon, but they we're really expensive for an AGP card. (talking like over $85-90)

For cards on that Newegg page the only other real option besides the 4350 is the 3450 which is a bit worse than the 4350. All the other cards on there are like 9-10 generations old (and probably have a lower chance of working properly with Windows 7) so not worth the price really.

Other than those two or buying the 2600 used looking to ebay for cards is about your only option. Most retailers just don't carry them anymore because they're so outdated and rarely purchased anymore.

This post has been edited by Skaarg: 06 April 2013 - 12:35 AM

[Lanzer]

Ah ok, well I knew this was gonna be a task, but whats a project without difficulties amiright?

Anyways onto another issue:
http://www.techsuppo...ure-692688.html

This dude is telling me to write off my entire drive because some program in DOS won't pick it up to scan. I want a second opinion, what do you think Retro and what should I do?

This post has been edited by Lanzer: 19 April 2013 - 11:02 PM

[Master Emerald]

Just connect the damn drive internally with a SATA cable... even my grandma can do that.

[Lanzer]

Master Emerald, on 20 April 2013 - 01:27 AM, said:

Just connect the damn drive internally with a SATA cable... even my grandma can do that.

My own computer's slots are filled so it would be a bit of a hassle. and the project computer I'm working on only has IDE/PATA.

I'm just wondering if theres anything else I can do out here before I have to go borrow my brother's computer. if theres nothing else then its fine.

No need for the attitude btw.

[acrazyplayer]

Quote

I'm just wondering if theres anything else I can do out here before I have to go borrow my brother's computer. if theres nothing else then its fine.

Looking at the enclosures customer reviews, I would definitely take the drive out of the enclosure and try hooking it up directly to the PC. After you manage to do that, try viewing the SMART data to see if there are any errors with the drive. Try using crystal disk info which is a good tool that might help you figure out what's wrong.