How do I Install an XP Hard Drive in a Different Computer?
- 1). Back up any important files on the hard drive prior to beginning the operation.
- 2). Power down both computers and disconnect any power cords or peripherals attached to either one.
- 3). Remove the case cover from each computer and compare the hard drive data and power cables to determine that they both use the same interface, which is assumed in this article. A hard drive controller card may be required for computers using different interfaces, and that is beyond the scope of the article.
- 4). Attach the anti-static wrist strap to one wrist and clip the alligator clip onto the frame of either one of the computers.
- 5). Disconnect the power and data cables from each hard drive.
- 6). Remove each hard drive by releasing any hard drive brackets or cages, or by simply removing the screws that hold the drives in place. Swap any necessary brackets or cages onto the Windows XP drive that is being moved. Compare the Master, Slave, or Cable Select mode of the two drives as indicated by the jumpers located on the drive if applicable. Make sure the XP drive being moved is using the same mode as the replaced drive.
- 7). Install the Windows XP drive into the target computer and attach it in the same manner that the replaced drive was attached. Connect the power and data cables.
- 8). Replace the cover and attach the peripherals and the power cable, and then power on the computer.
- 9). Allow the operating system to load and to automatically install any necessary drivers that it can find. Restart the system when it has finished loading drivers or when prompted to do so.
- 10
Click "Start," "Control Panel" and double click on "System." Click on the "Hardware" tab and then on the "Device Manager" button. Install drivers for any devices listed with a question mark or exclamation point (see References). - 11
Click "Start" and "Windows Update" if using the "Classic" Windows XP interface, or click "Start," "All Programs" and "Windows Update" otherwise, to launch the Windows Update utility. Click "Custom" and install all available updates. Restart the computer and launch the update utility again, and repeat the process until there are no more updates available after a restart. - 12
Allow the system to automatically activate Windows XP over the Internet when prompted.