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New computer old hard drive question.
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New computer old hard drive question. // Roundtable
Post by Methusela // Dec 14, 2007, 4:36pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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The time has come to get a new motherboard. Of course, this also means that I have to get a new graphics card, new RAM, a new processor, and a new case.
So now that those things are in the mail being delivered, a thought occurred to me. Can I use my current hard drive on the new motherboard? My current hard drive is an IDE (I also have a SATA installed as a secondary and a USB external one.). Does anyone know if it's okay to use those hard drives in my new motherboard? If so, is there anything special I need to do, or do I just plug it in and go?
Additionally, I've got the version of Windows (XP Media Centre Edition) that the computer came with installed, if that means anything.
Finally, my old motherboard is an ASUS K8S-LA that came with my HP m1160n:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Methusela/K8S-LA.jpg
The new board is the ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition found here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813131011
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-011-04.jpg |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 14, 2007, 6:43pm
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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IDE are the old flat ribbon style and are usually slower than the Serial ATA (SATA)
There are adapters and I suppose they work.
There is a IDE connector on that board, that blue rectangle in the right lower corner.
However, Hard Drives are so cheap now, I picked up a 500 gig drive for 99.00 the other day
- Why not buy a new one and you can have compatibility and a new hard drive?
Looks like a good motherboard, you will be only to use AMD processors that have socket AM2 compatibility though (which is a good thing)
The two SLI 16X slots is a good thing as well.
Good luck on the build and be patient building it. :) |
Post by Methusela // Dec 14, 2007, 7:18pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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Yeah my main concern is that I'll have to reinstall windows on my hard drive for it to transfer over. Does anyone know of a way to not have to do this?
In my research I found this:
Posted here: http://www.theeldergeek.com/replace_motherboard.htm
March 28, 2006 - A note from Daniel on improving/modifying the above procedure.
I was taking a look on your procedure to "Replace Motherboard on a Windows XP System" and I think I could improve it...
While the old motherboard was still usable, I used the following procedure
- I changed the IDE+AGP controller driver to the Windows default driver (Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller and PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge respectivelly)
- Uninstalled the VGA Card drivers
- Changed the motherboard
- Reassembled the pc again with all the cards and cables that were previously attached
- At this phase, I could boot Windows without any blue screen and also without making a installation repair!
- Next step: install the new chipset drivers and VGA drivers
One more note: I had success with this procedure with Windows XP Pro, Windows XP Home, Windows 2000 Professional and also a Windows 2000 Server Domain Controller (changed a P3 board with damaged capacitors to a new P4 board) all of them with full success! This Windows 2000 Server is running for more than 7 months without any problem!
I hope you find my real world "experiences" of any use.
Many thanks!
Daniel
Anybody know if that'd work?
And thanks for wishing me luck, James. I'm going to need it. By the end of this, I may need to buy a new cooling fan and heatsink for my brain. |
Post by Liger ZERO // Dec 14, 2007, 7:57pm
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Liger ZERO
Total Posts: 124
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You might need to reinstall windows and if the OS you have is an OEM version you may also need to buy a new copy of windows. For example if it is a pre-built pc, (Dell, HP, emachines, etc) the install of windows (for the most part) will only work with the compnets the pc came with. When windows starts up and sees a big change like a new motherboard it may say you need to get a new key for windows. The hard drive should have no problem working with the new system. |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 14, 2007, 8:18pm
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Yeah my main concern is that I'll have to reinstall windows on my hard drive for it to transfer over. Does anyone know of a way to not have to do this?
And thanks for wishing me luck, James. I'm going to need it. By the end of this, I may need to buy a new cooling fan and heatsink for my brain.
Yeah, just use a copy routine, some come with new hard drives. Or you can use one of those you can buy that will copy sector by sector everything on your old Hard Drive to your New Hard Drive. I have done this a lot and it works perfectly. You end up with a boot drive for Windows XP and you can keep your old one for a backup.
On the Method described by David, yeah it works, but sometimes it doesn't. The problem might come up when Windows wants to register your registration number and won't let you because it is already registered to another computer.
To me, it's just as cheap to pick an OEM Windows XP CD and use that. The OEM CD's are no longer acknowledge by Microsoft for help, but you can still get up all the updates. I bought two old Dell Window XP CD's for about 80 bucks and they worked fine on separate computers.
One thing for sure, you don't want to fudge around with your OS. :) |
Post by Methusela // Dec 14, 2007, 8:55pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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Tell me about it!
I think I'm going to follow your advice and just use my SATA drive as my primary and then just copy all the files over from my IDE. This is going to be such a pain. XD
Thanks for your help, James!
Any other tips, hints, suggestions, or mercy killings would be welcome! |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 14, 2007, 9:10pm
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Tell me about it!
I think I'm going to follow your advice and just use my SATA drive as my primary and then just copy all the files over from my IDE. This is going to be such a pain. XD
Thanks for your help, James!
Any other tips, hints, suggestions, or mercy killings would be welcome!
Watch out for static.
If you can don't work with your feet on a carpet or a rug. Don't wear nylon socks :D
Wooden Tables are the best, with a cotton towel if you don't want to mar up the table.
It's best to buy a grounding strip or you can make your own grounding strip. There's a couple of tutorials on the Web how to make your own. (Wrist type)
Don't do it late at night cause you'll get tired and make a mistake.
Do it on a not so full stomach, as you will be in unusual positions.
Unplug the computer always remove the plug from the back always when working on the computer.
Put the parts you work on, panels on the far side of the room so you don't step/trip on them. :)
Those are personal experience tips where I had some (cough) failures. :D |
Post by Methusela // Dec 14, 2007, 9:57pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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That's very thorough and sound advice! The nylon socks are my favourite part. XD
I'll probably be doing it on my imitation wood desk in my room upstairs. Carpet floor, but I've got one of those plastic rug things for rolling chairs. Elsewise I'll just do it outside on the sidewalk. I'll have to keep the ants from stealing my chips though! *Rim shot* |
Post by Ambrose // Dec 14, 2007, 10:58pm
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Ambrose
Total Posts: 261
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Methusela a reinstall can be a bit of pain and takes a couple of days until you're satiesfied.
That said the end result that is your feelings when you're setup again after a week or two is totally worth it.
You get rid of old programs you never use all old things slowering your old computer down etc. etc. you'll see the new one is much better you know were things are etc.
Some people even have to reinstall every second months or so but that is a bit of overkill I think, luckily now adays you can use ghost images etc. that one takes when most major programs are in place after install, this way going back only takes 10' ;)
So end of story - it's totally worth it in the long run...
just to add to the advices be sure to put the processor on correctly and use correct paste, do a read on for this...don't use cheap stuff...
Good luck
SeYa/Ambrose... |
Post by Emma // Dec 14, 2007, 11:56pm
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Emma
Total Posts: 344
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Before starting I would advice to do a complete copy of your original IDE drive on maybe one of your SATA or wherever you have enough space.
Assuming wou want to use your old IDE drive still as booting device on your new machine after you made a safe copy of it
- copy all needed drivers in one directory of this boot HD
a) grafic card
b) all board drivers (from the new main boards CD), chip set, network, sound, SATA, VGA if they are there (not always, sometimes they are included inside chip set drivers)
- first time you start jump to BIOS and shut off all on board specialties like network, modem or whatever super features it gives you, leave just the basics
- start operating system on your new machine by pressing F8 repeatedly after you start the system until you get a screen where you are asked which way you want to boot operating system
- select protected mode, booting proscess will take a bit longer than usual now
- now mostly you will get asked for reregistering your operating system, if so, just follow the procedure, but getting your registration serial by (free) phone call as you will not have any internet connections in this moment.
- system should run though in the xx day period, so now it is time to install all drivers for your new hardware components. For this reboot, ctivate in BIOS all you want/need and start in protected mode again.
If the CD/DVD is already recognized, use your driver CD/DVD, if not, you have your directory where you copied all drivers as suggested above.
I've run through this already a few times and so one last comment, don`t be upset if something uninspected occures, if you have done your safety copy (ghost, acronis or whatever tool you use) you can always start over and over again. |
Post by Steinie // Dec 15, 2007, 4:53am
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Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
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I would buy Windows XP and use that instead of anything else. Install everything you have before registration since you have 30 days. You have so much baggage on your old hard drive by now just say goodbye.
Start fresh and install the stuff you really use and toss the rest. There are almost 87 Windows security updates and make sure you get SP2 pack also before installing your other applications/games/TS etc.
Before pulling the plug on the old Computers backup all your data files from each app. Your new computer will be so much better and faster this way.
tips:
I always touch the chassis before touching any electrical circuit board. Sometimes I have my elbow on it so I'm grounded while I work. Build in the Kitchen away from carpeting on a wood table if you have one. Static will ruin your day...
Hold everything by their edges too.
If you have problems you know where to find us. Good luck. It's Fun. |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 15, 2007, 9:00am
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Here, I made up a poster for you for further guidance on computer repair. :D |
Post by Methusela // Dec 15, 2007, 3:08pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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Thanks for the tips guys!
I'll be using Arctic Silver 5 for my thermal grease; I believe that's good stuff, right?
As for static, I'll be doing all I can to keep it away from me. XD
Finally, I think I will just get XP and install it to my SATA drive, then copy all the files over from my IDE.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can I use the following procedure?
I just format my SATA, plug it into the new rig, start it all up with the windows CD in the drive, jump to the BIOS and set the CD priority top, install the OS, configure everything/download all updates, then plug in my old IDE (With my old Windows on it) and just copy the files over, right? Or do I have to do something special to the old IDE considering it has Windows installed on it? |
Post by jamesmc // Dec 16, 2007, 1:18am
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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Thanks for the tips guys!
I'll be using Arctic Silver 5 for my thermal grease; I believe that's good stuff, right?
As for static, I'll be doing all I can to keep it away from me. XD
Finally, I think I will just get XP and install it to my SATA drive, then copy all the files over from my IDE.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can I use the following procedure?
I just format my SATA, plug it into the new rig, start it all up with the windows CD in the drive, jump to the BIOS and set the CD priority top, install the OS, configure everything/download all updates, then plug in my old IDE (With my old Windows on it) and just copy the files over, right? Or do I have to do something special to the old IDE considering it has Windows installed on it?
Looks like a reasonable plan to me, but as others have said, do a back up if you can.
The SATA drive will become your new master and it won't matter what the IDE drive on it, even though it was a boot drive before.
With the Windows XP Files Transfer and Setup Facility, you can pick and choose (sort of) which files you want transferred over. You may have to reinstall some programs as some don't behave well in the registry after transferring. Norton's Ghost is probably the best around for back up.
Make sure you have a backup of all your important programs and data on CD like trueSpace. :)
Lot of folks have external drives strictly for back up purposes.
Be prepared for some knuckle scraping, "what the **** moments" and some very long and boring waits when you start with the Windows XP setup and file transfers.
Be patient, be wise and take steps in doing things more methodical than water dripping from a faucet. |
Post by Methusela // Dec 18, 2007, 11:09pm
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Methusela
Total Posts: 414
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A tentative hello from my new computer!
So far so good! |
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