Thread: Move XP to another computer

Hi. I have an old Optiplex here that is on it's last legs. It was originally a volume license workstation that was donated to our school with the OS removed. XP Pro was purchased (retail) and installed on it, along with Office 2000. We are getting another workstation donated to us (bare, no OS or anything), which is newer, and so I'd like to move everything to this new one, and use the old one for spare parts. I understand that the EULA allows retail versions of XP Pro (& Office?) to be transferred to another computer. However, a clean install is not an option, as there are other programs on it that can not be reinstalled. My question is, can I somehow move the old hard drive to the new computer, will I have activation issues, and how do I resolve them please?

First off I'd clone the harddrive to a newer one. Try installing the drive to the new PC. You should have no problem activating and registering your retail software but you might need to do it over the 'phone to prove they have been uninstalled on the old PC. The problem you'll come accross are the drivers! They'll probably be all wrong for the motherboard and you'll be lucky if it will boot.
Here's a good freebie; Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview but you'll need to study what immages you can create. If you can create an immage without the drivers then you have a chance. Do you have the original OS disk you can install on the newer PC? If so I'd install it, get the appropriate drivers, get it activated then see what you can do with Paragon.

No good then, Simrick?

Hi Fabler. I haven't tried anything yet - the donation is still not here, and I'm not sure when we will get it. But your idea sounds like it may work. They don't even have the original disks for the OS, but I may be able to work something out. I have a feeling I won't be doing anything until summer vacation on this machine anyway, so I'll have to let you know then. Thanks for the idea!