Is there anyway to reinstall Windows on a new motherboard using a Pre-installed Windows Hard Drive?

Question

I just bought a new motherboard and I need to reinstall windows in order for it to work. The only problem is, my hard drive came from a store bought HP computer, therefore the hard drive was pre-installed with windows and all the installing files. Since this is the case, it has no installation disks.

Is there anyway to reinstall it from my hard drive or must I make back up discs and do it that way?

Answer 1

If you try to reinstall from the hard drive you will get an error: Code Purple. and windows will refuse to install. This is because HP and many other manufacturers "tattoo" there motherboards to prevent software piracy. If you purchased a genuine replacement motherboard from the manufacturer you can sometimes get a new windows installation disk. If not you are out of luck, and will have to purchase another copy of windows. Some people have found some work arounds to disable the check for the tattoo. Here is one:



http://www.billoblog.com/?p=152



If you are trying to install windows on a completely different system you will have to purchase an new copy of windows.

Answer 2

I don't understand why you would need to re-install Windows ...

You don't install Windows on to a MB.

The new MB should know what it is and

Windows on the old HD should not care.

Chipsets may be messed up it you're using the IO ports for controlling machines of some sort

but re-installing the software controlling the machines software should fix that.

HP is quite finicky if you're try to control a GC or such but not insurmountable.



It's just like taking an old HD and slapping it into a different CPU.



EULA has nothing to do with it !

Answer 3

Not only is this not possible, it's also not legal. The license of Windows that came with your HP computer was only good for the HP computer. Now that you're swapping out the motherboard, it's a different computer and the license won't work.



Also, you know that documentation that you didn't bother to read that came with your HP computer? It would have told you how to make recovery discs. Of course, that still wouldn't help you now because the discs would only have been good for the HP computer. But in the future you shouldn't be without discs ;)

Answer 4

the clarification why any replica of Microsoft homestead windows XP chews up problematiccontinual area is that it has a extensive database meaning that there are a lot of drivers that get put in for differant products which comprise scanners,mice printers etc. simply by fact of this once you plug in a gadget which comprise a printer homestead windows XP right away is acquainted with what gadget is pluged in to the USB port for examole. that is referred to as Plug And Play. And thats why XP and Vista need lots area. God the others have no clue The question Is why XP makes use of lots area?