Hello.

I am moving overseas, but I cannot take my computer with me. I am going to transfer my files possibly onto an external hard drive, but I would also like to keep my old hard drive.

So here's the deal.
I want to take my old hard drive out, and sell my computer to another peron. If they put in their hard drive, will it work with my computer?
Also, if i reformat my computer, does that mean that my operating SYSTEM will be installed on the hard drive aswell (windows xp). If so, if I put that hard drive into my new computer, what will happen?

So basically, I'm wondering if my friends hard drive will work in my computer. And also if I can wipe my hard drive of all data, and then place it into my new computer.

Thank You.The buyer would need to install the proper driver devices for the hardware in your old computer. Indeed, the best thing for the buyer to do would be to wait until they get the computer, then install a blank hard drive, install Windows, and also update drivers as needed.

Likewise, you should wait until you get your new computer and install your hard drive in it before doing a fresh installation of Windows. Windows assign DEFAULT drivers to some hardware components. There's no reason to install Windows on your reformatted drive while it's still in your old computer, then move that hard drive to a different machine and have to update various drivers. That can cause problems. So, just wait and install Windows on the new machine.

Are you planning on buying a computer with an OS already installed? If so, then you could install your old hard drive as a second drive. In this case, you could also POSTPONE or even skip the formatting of your old hard drive, and then retrieve your data files from it once it's installed as a second drive in the new computer.

Aww. T.T

Well basically, I want a new fresh drive too, thats why I want to format my old one.

When you format the disk, does windows XP automatically get installed into it? And if it does, and I were to plug that hard drive into my new computer with it's own hard drive and installed OS, would it stuff up?

Also, to my friend who is buying my computer, there would be no problem with his hard drive, except that he would need to instal the driver devices such as the sound card, graphics, etc right? If so, I have all the disks anyway. But you're suggesting that he would buy a new hard drive, put it inside, instal the OS onto it, then put his old hard drive in and vwala?

1) If you install a new hard drive it is blank. Windows has to be loaded from the original Microsoft CD.

2) The smart and safe thing to do is load Windows on the hardware that is expected to run it.

3) A Windows license is for ONE machine only.

Just remember these principles.I'm confused but that doesn't take much...you say you want to format that drive and sell it then you say if you format that drive could you use it in your new machine....Which is it ? ?
I will add to GX1_Man's sound advice by saying be clear of what you want to accomplish before you do anything drastic...a format erases ALL data from a HDD.

patio. 8-)Alright, it's simple.

I'm moving over seas, and I can't take my computer with me, so I want to take my hard drive.
In America, I will have a new computer with it's own hard drive.
If I reformat my old hard drive, does Windows XP automatically get installed onto it? And EITHER way, if it is or not, will the hard drive work in my new computer?

Now, as to my other question.
My friend is buying my mother board (with the exception of my hard drive). If he puts his hard drive into my computer, and installs the CD's that came with the drivers (ATI, Real Tech etc), will his hard drive work with my computer? I'm just confused about that, since I don't want to sell a dud or anything like that.As I understand it, you wish to take the hard drive from your current computer with you overseas in order to retain your data. If this is correct, then, yes, the drive will work in your new computer. My suggestion is to install it as a slave (second) drive in the new computer, so you will still have access to your data. Second question was about formatting your computer. First off, all data is removed from the hard drive during a format. Window XP WILL NOT be reinstalled on the drive, unless you install it. The drive will be BLANK. As for your friends drive going into your computer, the answer is YES, it will work. However, your friend will need to re-install his/her current version of windows, so that the device drivers for that computer can be installed. A much easier solution is to purchase a new hard drive, install it as a slave on your current computer, copy all your data, or even copy the entire drive to it, leave the current one installed so the computer will still be usable, and take your new drive overseas with you. This is just my opinion.
Most of the things I said here have already been stated in previous posts, but maybe this will clarify some of the answers better.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
photowrenchOh, I see.

I kind of ditched the idea of buying an external hard drive, because they are very expensive, and it would be less of a profit to buy one, transfer files, and sell my computer.

So basically, just one final question. If I take my current hard drive out, and install as a secondary drive on another computer (BTW, when you put a hard drive into another computer, does it install it or does Windows automatically detect it and install it or do you need some special thing?), will I be able to move those files off onto the main hard drive and then reformat my old hard drive without reformatting the other?

Thanks!A new Computer should have no Problem With your Old Hard Drive

You may need to Change Jumper Settings on the Hard Drive for it to work with the New Computer, if its on the Same cable as the new Computers HDD , your Old Drive will Need to be set to Slave, if it a Maxtor it simply a matter of taking off the Jumper if its not there will be a DIAGRAM of what the settings should be

If your New Computer Has Windows on it , then once you've installed it and booted up windows , you should See the Drive in My Computer, if you don't you may have to go into disk Management and Turn it onThe new computer's HDD will be jumpered as master....this will need to be changed to "master with slave".
Then jumper the old drive as slave and hook it up. Windows will recognise it automatically.

BTW master goes at the end of the ribbon cable...slave takes the middle connector.