So, if I am building a new computer but I am using my same storage device how would I put it onto the new computer?

Will the new computer boot up right away or would I have to re-install a whole new OS and have to transfer my data then put it back on after I've loaded a new OS?

I'll be saving a few hundred every paycheck now and I'll probably build something within the next couple months once prices drop (hopefully).

Just curious on the cross over. The old computer I'll probably give to my wife or my brother.


Thanks in advance!

May see an error about problems with the “hardware abstraction layer” or “hal.dll”, or it may even blue-screen during the boot process.
That’s because when you install Windows on a computer, it sets itself up with drivers specific to that computer’s motherboard and chipset. The drivers for the storage controller, which allows the motherboard to communicate with the hard disk, are particularly important. When Windows boots on different hardware, it doesn’t know how to handle that hardware and won’t boot properly.

- Can be done, will must likely be a hassle.

The best thing would simply be saving files etc on a secondary storage device and reinstall windows.

This post was edited by ZwiX on Feb 8 2017 05:15pm

Damn, I knew it couldn't be easy!

Well thanks for the info! I'll have to get like a 2TB HDD for storage anyways, I'll just throw all my shit on there before I build a new one. Then keep my SSD and put a fresh OS on it.

If it windows 10 it will probably just work

Happened to me 3x. Each time I did a system reset within windows 10 to get rid of the crap from previous installs.

Then I just copy everything out of windows.old that I want to keep.
Use CCleaner to remove windows.old

Ez mode

this by far,
8.1 and 10 have this

It's windows 7 ultimate.

Just do this. W/e Windows version you have, it's always "better" do do a clean install on a new computer.
Sometimes ya get lucky, and don't have to. But most of the time clean install is better and less problems down the road.

have you used win 8.1 or win 10

you can do a reset of windows which is pretty much reintstalling but you can keep data

but for op he is on win 7 anyways

Most people only really need 5 or so folders copied over.

Most ppl need the drivers that go with the new motherboard. Whatever OS you're running.


But then we wouldn't have as much fun in CHD if everyone did a clean instal on a new computer...would we. :/