Good Question: Hardrive Swap

What then would happen to an OEM ( or retail version for that matter )
installation if the BIOS was flashed/updated. Would a reactivate be needed
or be possible?

"Jupiter Jones" wrote in message
...
Unless the computers are identical you will probably have to perform a
Repair Installation to properly detect the hardwa
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
You will need to reload Windows Updates and Service Pack.

You will have to repeat the process to install the hard drive back to
your computer.

If your computer is OEM and Windows XP came with the computer, this
probably not be possible at all as many OEM Windows XP are locked to
the BIOS.

--
Jupiter Jones
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Qmighty" wrote in message
...
My cousin has given me his computer to use for a time and it's
better than
my own in every way, but I don't want to have to go through the
process of
reinstalling all my software and getting things the way I like them
again.
Is there a way I can just swap hard drives so that I have MY
hardrive/windows with his computer? We're both running Windows XP.
I was
thinking of just deleting all the drivers, swapping, and then
rebooting -
but I'm guessing that won't be enough. Any help would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks

A BIOS flash will normally have no effect as long as the BIOS is from
the same source as the motherboard.

An Intel BIOS on a Gateway motherboard (possible in some situations)
renders the OEM Windows CD worthless as the motherboard will no longer
be seen as a Gateway motherboard and the BIOS lock of the CD will not
permit installation.

--
Jupiter Jones
Check the following link for some great problem solving newsgroups.
http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.aspx
Please respond to newsgroup only. Everyone can benefit from the
message.


"-0-" wrote in message
...

What then would happen to an OEM ( or retail version for that
matter )
installation if the BIOS was flashed/updated. Would a reactivate be
needed
or be possible?

"Jupiter Jones" wrote in message
...
Unless the computers are identical you will probably have to
perform a
Repair Installation to properly detect the hardwa
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
You will need to reload Windows Updates and Service Pack.

You will have to repeat the process to install the hard drive back
to
your computer.

If your computer is OEM and Windows XP came with the computer,
this
probably not be possible at all as many OEM Windows XP are locked
to
the BIOS.

--
Jupiter Jones
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Qmighty" wrote in message
...
My cousin has given me his computer to use for a time and it's
better than
my own in every way, but I don't want to have to go through the
process of
reinstalling all my software and getting things the way I like
them
again.
Is there a way I can just swap hard drives so that I have MY
hardrive/windows with his computer? We're both running Windows
XP.
I was
thinking of just deleting all the drivers, swapping, and then
rebooting -
but I'm guessing that won't be enough. Any help would be
greatly
appreciated. Thanks