LuLu Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Ok so some of you hopefully remember that laptop I was trying to fix...the one with the bum hard drive. Well, on MY laptop, I have 2 more keys that are intermittently working now, bringing the total up to 4. Gets annoying in a big way. So, I was thinking of popping out the hard drive on my laptop, and putting it into that other laptop. Aside from me physically breaking something in the process, there really shouldnt be a problem with me doing that, right? I mean, theoretically it should work just like putting a hard drive from a PC into another PC, correct? I dont mess with laptops too often, so any fixes make me nervous. But it should work, right? I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTskifreak Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Are they the exact same ones? You are forgetting something obvious if they aren't. Drivers will be a huge problem if the laptops aren't identical. AJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Not not the same. Figured I would download whatever drivers were necessary, like I did with my old computer... I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhawk Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 If you're running a pre-installed OEM copy of Windows then switching hard drive from machine to machine would invalidate your product activation. Richard S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Meaning it won't run correctly? Or just that I won't be able to do updates? I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhawk Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 You cannot login to the desktop it will log you straight out, furthermore the activate keys supplied with each laptop (sticker) won't work because OEM versions also require the correct BIOS ID string for identification. You can still use Safe Mode to access files but this mode disables your sound, network and display drivers. Richard S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators rridgely Posted January 31, 2011 Moderators Share Posted January 31, 2011 Meaning that you wont be able to update and that windows will treat your copy of the OS as invalid. This could mean fun things like your computer restarting every so often(vista and 7 only I think). Or it may not work at all depending on the hardware differences. (it could just crash on start up) Probably better to just buy a hard drive for that other laptop ($40 or so) and reinstall windows if you have the discs or buy a copy($100) or even use linux(free). Are the keys on that laptop sticking? If so you could try popping them off and cleaning underneath them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 I swear I just can't win no matter how hard I try. I guess I'll just be using the laptop with non-working keys (it's XP by the way). They don't stick. Everything is very clean..no dust, nothing has ever been spilled, etc. They just have fits where they won't work now. Can't afford to buy anything at all...no hard drive, no new keyboard or number pad, and definitely no new OS. I can't even finance a trip to the mailbox at this point. So I give up. lol Thanks guys. I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTskifreak Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 If you got a Goodwill I bet you can find a cheap keyboard for literally $5. AJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Andavari Posted January 31, 2011 Moderators Share Posted January 31, 2011 You can also shop at a computer expo sale and find stuff dirt cheap, some of it may even be brand new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mal Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hi Lulu. If your laptop has the original copy of XP [OEM], you should be able to get rid of your drivers, then install the hard drive on the new laptop following the instructions in this thread: http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=42051 If both laptops are the same make you should not have any activation problems .. use the keys on the bottom of the laptops - if you do have a problem phone Microsoft Activation and say you had a hard drive failure. edit I forgot that you are not doing a reinstal, just a drivers swap, so you would not need he key on the bottom of your laptop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ooohh you're awesome! I think I'll be trying that. Thanks!! I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mal Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Some notes.. back up your stuff make a folder and name it what ever the new laptop will be called eg bobs download all the drivers for "bobs" and put them in the bobs folder. The wired and wireless nics are very handy to have working on the new laptop. Make an effort to get the right drivers. Back up back up your stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Oh I'll backup everything, don't worry. I can't afford to have everything go kaput on me. lol I'm here. What are your other two wishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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