Putting Dell harddrive into another computer

Question

I currently have a Dimension 2400, but since it doesn't seem to want to live that much longer, I'm thinking of getting another non-Dell computer (barebones, without a harddrive).   My question - can I simply take the harddrive out of my Dimension 2400 and install it in the new computer without any complications?  Or are there certain issues that I should be concerned about?   Thanks.

rickmktg · Answer

@Narnia Nitro wrote:

I currently have a Dimension 2400, but since it doesn't seem to want to live that much longer, I'm thinking of getting another non-Dell computer (barebones, without a harddrive).

My question - can I simply take the harddrive out of my Dimension 2400 and install it in the new computer without any complications? Or are there certain issues that I should be concerned about?

Thanks.

You cannot buy a Dell computer w/o a hard drive, so the question is moot.

You cannot move a boot drive to a new computer, it won't boot.

shesagordie · Answer

Narnia Nitro.   You could install the hard drive in a bare bones system, but you will have install a new retail copy of windows on it.  Dell OEM copies of XP are tied to their BIOS.   Bev.

Narnia Nitro · Answer

So how can I use my Dell harddrive on another computer if I can't use XP on another computer?  This is inconvenient!  Thanks for your help.

rickmktg · Answer

@Narnia Nitro wrote:

So how can I use my Dell harddrive on another computer if I can't use XP on another computer? This is inconvenient! Thanks for your help.

If you want to use the physical drive, buy a new computer. Put the drive in as the SECONDARY drive. Transfer data (not programs), then format the drive and use it for storage/backup.

The copy of XP belongs to the old computer, and a new Dell will ship with another copy of XP.

Storage, Drives & Media

Putting Dell harddrive into another computer

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