DescentBB

Can I install XP on a new HD and then take that HD to another computer to install programs?

No, you most likely can't. If the other system has another boot controller, XP will just bluescreen on you and you'll have to start all over. Why would you want to do this anyways?

I wouldnt.

This whole topic just went right over my head. What is it youâ??re trying to do that would lead you to this idea?

i concur with MD, if you swap HDD's to different machines, XP has a tempermental attitude with doing this procedure and almost a guaranteed 100% will throw BSOD's at you for it.

Please note: this post assumes the reason you want to do this is because your comp lacks a CD Drive

create a small partition and copy all the XP install files on it, make the partition bootable with say, msdos6, boot into dos, and run the 16bit installer program.

The lacking a CD drive theory would inhibit him from installing apps anyway.

Are all these wacky ideas all yours, or are you the liasion for your non-computer savvy friends too?

It will probably work provided:
1) You have a version that does not require you to register with MS to use (ie XP Pro Corporate)
2) The controller chipset on the motherboard is made by the same manufacturer on the second PC's motherboard. (VIA, SIS, Intel, AMD, nvidia, ATI)
3) You are NOT using a RAID/IDE controller that is either an addon for the motherboard (IDE # 3 and 4 or SATA connectors)or a PCI card for the boot drive
4) Do not do Windows Updates. If the system crashes and you chose to do a intall repair using the XP CD in PC #2, you'll lose the updates anyway.

or don't bother.

Assuming he doesn't have a CD rom for that computer. It would be easier to buy a CD rom just to save the trouble.

Or just buy a Mac or WebTV and get it over with

TigerRaptorFX wrote:Assuming he doesn't have a CD rom for that computer. It would be easier to buy a CD rom just to save the trouble.

Or just move the drive into the other machine and do it that way.

Guys, enough about the damn cd-rom. Where do you all get this idea and run with it? I don't see anything indicating he doesn't have one in his post.

I guess the more salient question is this:

wolfe, why do you need to do this?

True he didnâ??t say any thing of the sort. But he all so didnâ??t leave us much to go on. Iâ??m willing to help if I knew what his trying to accomplish.

It could be done, boot into safe mode and remove ALL the devices before you move the drive into the other computer, but it is still totally pointless and would be a much better idea to just install XP where it is going to be.

A friend's computer is running Win98. We are talking about buying a new HD and installing XP.

I knew that the XP OS should be installed on the new HD using his computer.

However, because installing the progams that he had on Win98 HD will be time consumming, I thought if I could install WinXP on his new HD on his computer and then use the HD in one of my "spare" computers to add the software at my convenience and at my place instaed of having to camp out at his place.

You can move the hard drive to another PC and things will work smoothly as long as it's a non-boot drive, i.e. you are booting into Windows on a different hard drive to copy files to the XP hard drive. But without booting into the XP hard drive, you still won't be able to install a lot of software correctly, basically any software that requires preexisting registry keys.

Take his whole machine back to your house. That's pretty routine. I never sit in some persons house and install anything.

"I want a new OS, and my applications installed".

First thing I do is rip all the cables from the back, pick up the box and walk out the door. Then I come back and take all his CD's for the machine, and walk back out the door. s/he can come get it the next day.

Next time you post here, please describe what you want and why you think you want to do it the way you want. This way we don't spend 20 posts guessing what's going on.