How to switch master hard drives between two computers?

valoem · Mar 18, 2006, 02:17 AM

Hi

I have a problem with switching master hard drives between two computers. I want to put my current 120 GB drive connected to a 1.5 GHz computer with 256 RDRAM to a 1.0 GHz computer with 512 SDRAM. The hardware in the two computers are totally different. I then want to put a new hard drive into my 1.5 GHz computer.

Initially i thought the switch would be as easy as just popping out my 120 GB drive and putting it into the other computer. However there are many hardware compatability issues.

Also the programs and data on the 120GB hard drive is very important so a reformat is out of the question. Would simply uninstalling all the drivers from Device Manager and the putting the drive into the other computer help? (would windows be able to detect the other hardware and drivers and put them on automatically)

Also do i need to do anything with my windows professional disk (bootable).

Detailed Specs: Windows XP Professional SP2 on (Computer A Hard Drive)

The original computer has (Computer A):

manufacturer:
Dell 8100 series

Pentium IV running at 1.5 GHz
256 RDRAM
Graphics Card: ATI 9600XT
NEC NR CD ROM drive
LITE-ON DVDRW LDW-411S
Standard floppy disk
IEEE 1394 Bus host controllers
Conexant HCF V90 56k RTAD Speakerphone PCI Modem
1394 Net Adapter
RealTek RTL8139 Family PCI Express Fast Ethernet NIC
Communications Port (COM 1)
Default Printer Port (LPT1)
ATI TV Wonder Pro
4 USB Hub

Computer B:

I want to move the hard drive in [Computer A] to [Computer B]

manufacturer: DELL (older version then 8100 series)

Pentium III running at 1.0 GHz
Graphics Card: Intel 82810E Graphics Controller
COM1 and COM2 and LPT1 ports
Network Adapter: Com3 3C920 Intergrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
2 USB Port

... and thats it nothing fancy on that one

When i moved the hard drive in Computer A to Computer B (i only uninstalled the display driver and the TV wonder pro drivers) it when to a black screen in the beginning saying hardware had compatability issues and windows stopped running to prevent damage to the computer. So i had to switch my hard drive back.

How do I resolve this?

Please help thx

EDIT: To resolve confusion I'm just moving a hard drive from one computer to the other while attempting to retain all the programs and information on the hard drive. So this link:

http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sh...ad.php?t=170919

didn't really help me because i dont have a new drive, just moving an old one.

Chaos · Mar 19, 2006, 10:59 AM

One way is to do a repair of your windows install when you move the drive. Run windows setup, do not choose repair during the first screen, let windows search for previous windows installs. when it finds the windows install on the drive, then choose to repair that installation. XP does not want you moving installs from system to system which is why the errors were generated