hardrive swap

could i take the harddrive from my current machine and put it into a compelty different one with no problems?

i expect windows would throw a fit and ask for the license key, and i'd need to install driers for different sound/video cards, and CD drives, but other than that would it work completly like normal?

and in regards to windowns license keys, would repeating this  till the end of time be illegal, or is this allowed?

LOL

This will work, but first you need to delete the contents of your /system32/ folder as these are the drivers that are specific to your computer and will cause windows to close down as soon as it is opened on a new system

Depends. It may work but it depends on the types of storage controller involved. If you're changing it from a machine with only IDE to a newer one with SATA, Windows might bluescreen on boot due to the way the new BIOS handles the PATA interface. In that case it might help to play around with the settings in the BIOS (AHCI, legacy, etc) though I've never tried this.

In any case, yes, you will have to install drivers and your serial number.

As for legality again, it depends. It depends on how you acquired the Windows license (OEM bundled with the computer vs retail, etc) and where you live (for example in Europe I think not every statement in the old EULA is necessarily effectual due to some trade laws and court decisions).

Then all you need to worry about are the moral and ethical implications on your new lifestyle

You will almost certainly have to reactivate your Windows installation, not just reenter the license key. Reactivation happens online, and will fail if the key has already been used.
Supposedly you can call MS and they'll activate it manually with a minimum of fuss, but if not, you can only continue to use Windows for a month before being locked out.

Enjoy not owning your own computer.

im switcghing from an old IDE machine, to a slighyly less old IDE machine, that im getting when my dad finnaly gets a new computer.

just needed to know if i could do it without formatting.

i was asked to re-enter the license key when i got a new graphics card, saying the machine had been drastically altered, and the same key worked fine.
i got the computer with no harddrive, but it came with a license key, and windows disc (for the price of the XP operating system on it's own) so i'm guessng it wouldn't be an issue, aslong as i used the same license key and made sure no one else used it, i'm golden, right?

I think the key can be reused if its the same computer but slight hardware changes (like new vid card) but can only be used like this say 3 times or something like that.

Woah woah woah since when does windows ask for you to reenter a cd key if you're just moving a harddrive to another box.

>>9
I know, I have done it before and it never asked me for a new key but I think that was with a shitty Acer disk, so it was already pre activated. I still doubt it would ask you to reactivate windows, the only thing is you may have trouble getting updates but I'm sure you can do it manually

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/77909774/m/1400925745