how do i reuse my old hard drive

[EternalL3gendz]

i want to reuse my old harddrive thatalready hase windows on it but im switching my pc parts out what do i do im geting a new motherboard and new cpu 

[TheKDub]

stick it in the new pc and re-activate windows.

Be sure to remove old drivers and install new drivers as well.

[Aytex]

all u have to do is when ur booting up put the key in

[SeanTNT]

You plug in the SATA power cable from the PSU to the hard drive. Follow by plunging in the SATA data cable into the motherboard and the hard drive

AND BOOM it should work

[failblox]

The ideal thing would be to do a fresh install of Windows, but you don't have to do this. If you want to reuse your existing copy of windows, uninstall all the drivers for your motherboard and then install the new ones once you swap out your parts.

 

Swapping your motherboard might mess with your windows activation, so you should also have your key handy.

[EternalL3gendz]

how do re activate windows

and also how do i delete old drivers

[EternalL3gendz]

what key ?

[Aytex]

how do re activate windows

and also how do i delete old drivers

you put the activation key in.

you go to control panel

[Aytex]

what key ?

Teh key that came with windows when you isntalled it

[Guest]

how do re activate windows

and also how do i delete old drivers

Deleting old drivers shouldn't be much of an issue, if it is use something like ccleaner to remove all unnecessary files 

[Knaj]

The ideal thing would be to do a fresh install of Windows, but you don't have to do this. If you want to reuse your existing copy of windows, uninstall all the drivers for your motherboard and then install the new ones once you swap out your parts.

 

Swapping your motherboard might mess with your windows activation, so you should also have your key handy.

 

What he said is best.

[EternalL3gendz]

there is an option on amd caytlst that ses restore to fasctory dfault 

[CM7]

Teh key that came with windows when you isntalled it

^check this if it doesn't have a sticker and you didn't buy it with a disk. You need to get the iso if you want a fresh install and you can use this key finder to get the code.

[failblox]

how do re activate windows

and also how do i delete old drivers

Make sure you quote people if you want them to help you - it gives them a notification so they know you replied to them

 

Check the box that came with windows (or however you got windows - perhaps an email, idk) and it should be located around there.

To uninstall programs: Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features --> uninstall your stuff (I'm on Windows 8.1 so it might differ a tiny bit but it should be similar)

That button in AMD Catalyst isn't the button you're looking for I'm afraid. That would likely just reset the program to its factory defaults, but it wouldn't uninstall it.

[EternalL3gendz]

thanks so much i fond the program ritehere amd caytlyst install manager thanks soo much man

[EternalL3gendz]

well i dont have the key either becouse i bought the pc pre built

[EternalL3gendz]

where would i find my key on windows 8,1

[EternalL3gendz]

this is going to take so much work im just better off buying a new hard drive and windows and calling it a day

[CM7]

where would i find my key on windows 8,1

JellyBean key finder

[Captain_WD]

i want to reuse my old harddrive thatalready hase windows on it but im switching my pc parts out what do i do im geting a new motherboard and new cpu 

 

Hey EternalL3gendz,

 

What's the brand and model of your drive?

I would suggest backing up everything important from your boot partition, wipe it and do a fresh install of your OS (you would have to reinstall all the applications and games too). This is the most problem-free way, avoiding compatibility issues, transferring errors or malware from your old build to the new one. Just make sure you write down your key first.

 

Captain_WD.