Can XP be run from an alternate HD on a Vista PC?

For reasons that I have yet to determine, my current computer is killin
motherboards. I am assuming it is a virus so my friend is going to do
virus scan from his MAC to make sure my hard drive is clean

I decided to order a new HP (my current computer was home-built wit
the assistance from an IT savvy friend). To be more specific, it'
model M8430F from best buy.

Now for my question: Assuming my hard drive is not the root cause fo
the motherboard failure, it has XP and some 3D design programs that
use on it. I'm a little nervous about using Vista on the new compute
to run these programs. Therefore I was wondering if I can install m
current hard drive (SATA) into my new computer (HP M8430F) which i
Vista based

I'm not 100% computer naïve… although it makes sense in my head that
should be able to boot from either hard drive I understand that there'
a lot that I DON’T understand and therefore am posting here.

In short
New computer with Vist
Hard drive from old computer with X
= Can I install XP hard drive and choose to boot from it when I want t
use specific programs currently installed on it
Thanks

--
rena03sb

About the only thing in a computer capable of killing mobos is a defective
or incorrect power supply. Have you checked it?

XP will not "just run" on the new machine by adding the hard drive. You
will need to do a repair installation of XP before it will run on the new
computer. Also, you will need to use a program like VistaBoot Pro (works on
XP and Vista both) to set up the boot files correctly or you will only be
able to boot into XP once you have run the repair install.

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. If you can still run the
old computer using the old hard drive, download and run the Vista Upgrade
Advisor and see what it reports about your present software.

Frankly, you should give your programs a chance on Vista before jumping
through any hoops. You may not have an issue at all. Check with the vendor
of your 3D design software (and other critical software) for Vista
compatibility or updates.

An issue is the status of HP support once you reconfigure the new computer
(I doubt HP will give you support until you restore the system to its
original configuration).

Also, if the shop that helped you build the old computer installed an OEM
copy of XP the software is permanently tied to the computer you acquired it
with. It does not matter that the hard drive with XP on it is being
continued in use, the license states that once installed OEM Windows and the
computer (not just the device) are indivisible. In such a case, when the
computer dies the license goes to that great bit bucket in the sky along
with it.

"rena03sb" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> For reasons that I have yet to determine, my current computer is killing
> motherboards. I am assuming it is a virus so my friend is going to do a
> virus scan from his MAC to make sure my hard drive is clean.
>
> I decided to order a new HP (my current computer was home-built with
> the assistance from an IT savvy friend). To be more specific, it's
> model M8430F from best buy.
>
> Now for my question: Assuming my hard drive is not the root cause for
> the motherboard failure, it has XP and some 3D design programs that I
> use on it. I'm a little nervous about using Vista on the new computer
> to run these programs. Therefore I was wondering if I can install my
> current hard drive (SATA) into my new computer (HP M8430F) which is
> Vista based.
>
> I'm not 100% computer naïve. although it makes sense in my head that I
> should be able to boot from either hard drive I understand that there's
> a lot that I DON'T understand and therefore am posting here.
>
> In short:
> New computer with Vista
> Hard drive from old computer with XP
> = Can I install XP hard drive and choose to boot from it when I want to
> use specific programs currently installed on it?
> Thanks!
>
>
> --
> rena03sb

The statement about OEM OS is a little iffy according to Federal Court
First-Sale Doctrine Covers Software to...


--
ZÿRiX
(¯`'..(<>..<>)..'´¯)

"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:259DBCF1-F2E2-4DEF-8B26-...
> About the only thing in a computer capable of killing mobos is a defective
> or incorrect power supply. Have you checked it?
>
> XP will not "just run" on the new machine by adding the hard drive. You
> will need to do a repair installation of XP before it will run on the new
> computer. Also, you will need to use a program like VistaBoot Pro (works
> on XP and Vista both) to set up the boot files correctly or you will only
> be able to boot into XP once you have run the repair install.
>
> I think you are putting the cart before the horse. If you can still run
> the old computer using the old hard drive, download and run the Vista
> Upgrade Advisor and see what it reports about your present software.
>
> Frankly, you should give your programs a chance on Vista before jumping
> through any hoops. You may not have an issue at all. Check with the
> vendor of your 3D design software (and other critical software) for Vista
> compatibility or updates.
>
> An issue is the status of HP support once you reconfigure the new computer
> (I doubt HP will give you support until you restore the system to its
> original configuration).
>
> Also, if the shop that helped you build the old computer installed an OEM
> copy of XP the software is permanently tied to the computer you acquired
> it with. It does not matter that the hard drive with XP on it is being
> continued in use, the license states that once installed OEM Windows and
> the computer (not just the device) are indivisible. In such a case, when
> the computer dies the license goes to that great bit bucket in the sky
> along with it.
>
> "rena03sb" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>> For reasons that I have yet to determine, my current computer is killing
>> motherboards. I am assuming it is a virus so my friend is going to do a
>> virus scan from his MAC to make sure my hard drive is clean.
>>
>> I decided to order a new HP (my current computer was home-built with
>> the assistance from an IT savvy friend). To be more specific, it's
>> model M8430F from best buy.
>>
>> Now for my question: Assuming my hard drive is not the root cause for
>> the motherboard failure, it has XP and some 3D design programs that I
>> use on it. I'm a little nervous about using Vista on the new computer
>> to run these programs. Therefore I was wondering if I can install my
>> current hard drive (SATA) into my new computer (HP M8430F) which is
>> Vista based.
>>
>> I'm not 100% computer naïve. although it makes sense in my head that I
>> should be able to boot from either hard drive I understand that there's
>> a lot that I DON'T understand and therefore am posting here.
>>
>> In short:
>> New computer with Vista
>> Hard drive from old computer with XP
>> = Can I install XP hard drive and choose to boot from it when I want to
>> use specific programs currently installed on it?
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>> --
>> rena03sb
>

As far as the power supply goes; that’s what I thought caused th
problem the first time. I actually bought a new power supply last mont
before I realized it was a bad mobo. When evga sent me a new mobo I kep
the new power supply in because I upgraded the wattage (previous one wa
450, new one is 550). Talking to an IT guy at work he said a virus ma
have done it if it has benchmarking coding in it to over clock speeds
etc
The first mobo lasted almost a full year, this new one died in a mont
with the same exact symptoms= no symptoms that I'm aware of. All of th
sudden it refuses to recognize drives and doesn't matter which SATA por
I use, it doesn't even see the CD drive in the CD ROM port.
My thought process is that I have a relatively new Western Digital H
that has XP on it. I'm going to give Vista a shot, for my normal we
surfing, microsoft office, etc programs; but figured if it was eas
enough I could install my other HD and boot from it if/when I need t
run my design programs (which isn't often)
I do not have an OEM version of XP… but I also can't find my boot dis
(which sucked last month when my pc stopped working because I thought
had to buy XP again… until I found out my HD was still good
If it really is difficult and a pita to do it, I understand. I wa
hoping there was a way so that the computer would prompt which HD t
boot from upon start-up; and that I could choose the XP one whe
desired.
In either case I have the new computer with Vista- so if that alternat
HD w/xp can't be done, I still have a powerhouse PC that's no
recognizing any drives upon start-up…. Maybe point me in the righ
direction to get it running again? Last time I replaced the Powe
supply, tried every SATA port, tried HD cables, etc… the only thin
that got it going was a new mobo.
Thanks for the help

--
rena03sb

I have done motherboard, HD and other device replacement on OEM Edition XP
computers. Sometimes it complains and asks if I want to "reactivate" XP. I
click yes and never have had a problem. If you put your old HD with XP in a
completely new computer, how does it know the difference between that and
say a mobo replacement (which as far as I know is perfectly legit)?

Earle

"ZÿRiX" <> wrote in message
news: ecom...
> The statement about OEM OS is a little iffy according to Federal Court
> First-Sale Doctrine Covers Software to...
>
>
> --
> ZÿRiX
> (¯`'..(<>..<>)..'´¯)
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
> news:259DBCF1-F2E2-4DEF-8B26-...
>> About the only thing in a computer capable of killing mobos is a
>> defective or incorrect power supply. Have you checked it?
>>
>> XP will not "just run" on the new machine by adding the hard drive. You
>> will need to do a repair installation of XP before it will run on the new
>> computer. Also, you will need to use a program like VistaBoot Pro (works
>> on XP and Vista both) to set up the boot files correctly or you will only
>> be able to boot into XP once you have run the repair install.
>>
>> I think you are putting the cart before the horse. If you can still run
>> the old computer using the old hard drive, download and run the Vista
>> Upgrade Advisor and see what it reports about your present software.
>>
>> Frankly, you should give your programs a chance on Vista before jumping
>> through any hoops. You may not have an issue at all. Check with the
>> vendor of your 3D design software (and other critical software) for Vista
>> compatibility or updates.
>>
>> An issue is the status of HP support once you reconfigure the new
>> computer (I doubt HP will give you support until you restore the system
>> to its original configuration).
>>
>> Also, if the shop that helped you build the old computer installed an OEM
>> copy of XP the software is permanently tied to the computer you acquired
>> it with. It does not matter that the hard drive with XP on it is being
>> continued in use, the license states that once installed OEM Windows and
>> the computer (not just the device) are indivisible. In such a case, when
>> the computer dies the license goes to that great bit bucket in the sky
>> along with it.
>>
>> "rena03sb" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>>
>>> For reasons that I have yet to determine, my current computer is killing
>>> motherboards. I am assuming it is a virus so my friend is going to do a
>>> virus scan from his MAC to make sure my hard drive is clean.
>>>
>>> I decided to order a new HP (my current computer was home-built with
>>> the assistance from an IT savvy friend). To be more specific, it's
>>> model M8430F from best buy.
>>>
>>> Now for my question: Assuming my hard drive is not the root cause for
>>> the motherboard failure, it has XP and some 3D design programs that I
>>> use on it. I'm a little nervous about using Vista on the new computer
>>> to run these programs. Therefore I was wondering if I can install my
>>> current hard drive (SATA) into my new computer (HP M8430F) which is
>>> Vista based.
>>>
>>> I'm not 100% computer naïve. although it makes sense in my head that I
>>> should be able to boot from either hard drive I understand that there's
>>> a lot that I DON'T understand and therefore am posting here.
>>>
>>> In short:
>>> New computer with Vista
>>> Hard drive from old computer with XP
>>> = Can I install XP hard drive and choose to boot from it when I want to
>>> use specific programs currently installed on it?
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> rena03sb
>>
>

A mobo or system drive repair replacement (same product) is always OK, of
course. However a non-repair replacement (replacement with a different
product) accompanied by a system drive replacement probably won't be. It is
at that point that, according to the activation FAQ, it becomes a new
computer.

"Earle Horton" <earleh_nospam_@live.com> wrote in message
news:%...
>I have done motherboard, HD and other device replacement on OEM Edition XP
>computers. Sometimes it complains and asks if I want to "reactivate" XP.
>I click yes and never have had a problem. If you put your old HD with XP
>in a completely new computer, how does it know the difference between that
>and say a mobo replacement (which as far as I know is perfectly legit)?
>
> Earle
>
> "ZÿRiX" <> wrote in message
> news: ecom...
>> The statement about OEM OS is a little iffy according to Federal Court
>> First-Sale Doctrine Covers Software to...
>>
>>
>> --
>> ZÿRiX
>> (¯`'..(<>..<>)..'´¯)
>>
>> "Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
>> news:259DBCF1-F2E2-4DEF-8B26-...
>>> About the only thing in a computer capable of killing mobos is a
>>> defective or incorrect power supply. Have you checked it?
>>>
>>> XP will not "just run" on the new machine by adding the hard drive. You
>>> will need to do a repair installation of XP before it will run on the
>>> new computer. Also, you will need to use a program like VistaBoot Pro
>>> (works on XP and Vista both) to set up the boot files correctly or you
>>> will only be able to boot into XP once you have run the repair install.
>>>
>>> I think you are putting the cart before the horse. If you can still run
>>> the old computer using the old hard drive, download and run the Vista
>>> Upgrade Advisor and see what it reports about your present software.
>>>
>>> Frankly, you should give your programs a chance on Vista before jumping
>>> through any hoops. You may not have an issue at all. Check with the
>>> vendor of your 3D design software (and other critical software) for
>>> Vista compatibility or updates.
>>>
>>> An issue is the status of HP support once you reconfigure the new
>>> computer (I doubt HP will give you support until you restore the system
>>> to its original configuration).
>>>
>>> Also, if the shop that helped you build the old computer installed an
>>> OEM copy of XP the software is permanently tied to the computer you
>>> acquired it with. It does not matter that the hard drive with XP on it
>>> is being continued in use, the license states that once installed OEM
>>> Windows and the computer (not just the device) are indivisible. In such
>>> a case, when the computer dies the license goes to that great bit bucket
>>> in the sky along with it.
>>>
>>> "rena03sb" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>>
>>>> For reasons that I have yet to determine, my current computer is
>>>> killing
>>>> motherboards. I am assuming it is a virus so my friend is going to do a
>>>> virus scan from his MAC to make sure my hard drive is clean.
>>>>
>>>> I decided to order a new HP (my current computer was home-built with
>>>> the assistance from an IT savvy friend). To be more specific, it's
>>>> model M8430F from best buy.
>>>>
>>>> Now for my question: Assuming my hard drive is not the root cause for
>>>> the motherboard failure, it has XP and some 3D design programs that I
>>>> use on it. I'm a little nervous about using Vista on the new computer
>>>> to run these programs. Therefore I was wondering if I can install my
>>>> current hard drive (SATA) into my new computer (HP M8430F) which is
>>>> Vista based.
>>>>
>>>> I'm not 100% computer naïve. although it makes sense in my head that I
>>>> should be able to boot from either hard drive I understand that there's
>>>> a lot that I DON'T understand and therefore am posting here.
>>>>
>>>> In short:
>>>> New computer with Vista
>>>> Hard drive from old computer with XP
>>>> = Can I install XP hard drive and choose to boot from it when I want to
>>>> use specific programs currently installed on it?
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> rena03sb
>>>
>>
>
>

That’s a good point…

When I replaced my mobo and started up the computer, everything ran
just as if it was the original mobo that was in the computer when I
first installed XP.

What's the difference between that and if I just swap the hard drives
on the new computer? Since they're both SATA hard drives, could I just
plug one in at a time; whichever one I wanted to use (after installing
updated drivers on the XP drive)?


--
rena03sb

On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:02:02 -0600, "Earle Horton"
<earleh_nospam_@live.com> wrote:

> I have done motherboard, HD and other device replacement on OEM Edition XP
> computers. Sometimes it complains and asks if I want to "reactivate" XP. I
> click yes and never have had a problem. If you put your old HD with XP in a
> completely new computer, how does it know the difference between that and
> say a mobo replacement (which as far as I know is perfectly legit)?


It doesn't know the difference. Don't mix up a statement about what
the rules are with whether they are (or can be) enforced 100%. Your
question is akin to asking how does the police department know you are
going 80mph in a 50mph zone if there's no cop around. If you're a
law-abiding citizen, you follow the rules whether or not there's a cop
around.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

There is a way that the computer would prompt for which OS to run at start
up. That's what I recommended VistaBoot Pro for, to set that up. It is
automatically set up by Windows when you install XP first and then Vista,
but you would not want to do it that way since it would involve removing
Vista first and doing the whole computer over. That is not at all
necessary. You can use VistaBoot Pro to repair the Vista start up following
the installation of the XP hard drive and repair of XP. At that point you
would have it all the way you say you want.

There is little point in thinking about mounting the old hard drive in the
new computer until you have the cd. You will not be able to do a repair
install without it and a repair install will be needed before XP can boot
and run.

You can replace the lost XP cd with a copy. As long as you have the product
key you are good. You will need the product key during the repair install.
The copy can be made from any XP cd of the same type. Your computer shop
may be able to help or a friend. The copy needs to match what you have
installed. Home for Home, Pro for Pro, upgrade for upgrade, standard for
standard. The copy cannot be from an OEM cd.

I always recommend testing the power supply when replacing a mobo. As a
mobo is going out it may alter the power requirements being placed on the
power supply in such a way as to damage the ps. If that happens and you use
the ps with the replacement mobo the damaged ps can take out the new mobo,
and around and around you go. Always have the ps checked before continuing
its use following a failed mobo.

"rena03sb" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> As far as the power supply goes; that's what I thought caused the
> problem the first time. I actually bought a new power supply last month
> before I realized it was a bad mobo. When evga sent me a new mobo I kept
> the new power supply in because I upgraded the wattage (previous one was
> 450, new one is 550). Talking to an IT guy at work he said a virus may
> have done it if it has benchmarking coding in it to over clock speeds,
> etc.
> The first mobo lasted almost a full year, this new one died in a month
> with the same exact symptoms= no symptoms that I'm aware of. All of the
> sudden it refuses to recognize drives and doesn't matter which SATA port
> I use, it doesn't even see the CD drive in the CD ROM port.
> My thought process is that I have a relatively new Western Digital HD
> that has XP on it. I'm going to give Vista a shot, for my normal web
> surfing, microsoft office, etc programs; but figured if it was easy
> enough I could install my other HD and boot from it if/when I need to
> run my design programs (which isn't often).
> I do not have an OEM version of XP. but I also can't find my boot disc
> (which sucked last month when my pc stopped working because I thought I
> had to buy XP again. until I found out my HD was still good)
> If it really is difficult and a pita to do it, I understand. I was
> hoping there was a way so that the computer would prompt which HD to
> boot from upon start-up; and that I could choose the XP one when
> desired.
> In either case I have the new computer with Vista- so if that alternate
> HD w/xp can't be done, I still have a powerhouse PC that's not
> recognizing any drives upon start-up.. Maybe point me in the right
> direction to get it running again? Last time I replaced the Power
> supply, tried every SATA port, tried HD cables, etc. the only thing
> that got it going was a new mobo..
> Thanks for the help!
>
>
> --
> rena03sb

In article <62E92111-69A1-4B83-B788->,
Colin Barnhorst <> wrote:
>A mobo or system drive repair replacement (same product) is always OK, of
>course. However a non-repair replacement (replacement with a different
>product) accompanied by a system drive replacement probably won't be. It is
>at that point that, according to the activation FAQ, it becomes a new
>computer.
>

Oh, OK, so, I have to scratch a trace out on the old board first,
right? Of course, technicians ALWAYS replace parts that aren't broken, so
I guess if it turns out that the repair wasn't necessary after all it's
still legal, right? Because I *thought* it was a repair.

Geez. I Am Not A Lawyer but I don't believe the "you put the drive
in a *new* *case* so you're a SOFTWARE PIRATE!!!!" theory would stand up in
court. A contract can't violate existing law, or offer one party
unrecompensated benefit. And someone's already mentioned the principal of
First Sale, which simply says that while my purchase of your intellectual
property doesn't void your copyright it voids your physical control over that
specific copy, which is now mine to resell, give away, or shred in the
garbage disposal.