Hard Drive move to another Pc

My Gateway XP desktop got hit by lighting and fried the motherboard and
power supply. Tech wanted $500 to fix, so I just had them copy the hard
drive to a portable so I would have the data available on my laptop. I
found a new motherboard and ps for $200. Debating if it's worth it for the
replacement parts or instead buy a used tower. If I buy a used Gateway tower
of the same vintage (purchased new in 2003) and move the hard drive from the
failed tower to the replacement Pc will everything be like it was before the
lighting strike. That is will I have the operating system and all the
software fully functioning.

Windows XP uses several "components" off the motherboard as part of
the routine for the Product Activation. In order for the old Gateway
hard drive to work correctly, you must locate a 100% exact replacement
Gateway system (which is a challenge.) Otherwise, you will need to do
an XP re-install / repair install.

You would most likely have to do a repair install before it would run..

While what you're considering can be a viable option, i.e., purchasing an
*identical* Gateway PC (identical in terms of the same components) to your
presently defective one I really think you should consider a more practical
option.

First of all, is it *absolutely essential" that the *entire* contents of
your present HDD be salvaged? Do you really need to transfer the XP OS and
other programs on that HDD? Or can you live with just salvaging your
*personal data* from that HDD? If the latter is a viable option for you...

I really think you would be more well-advised to purchase another up-to-date
desktop machine. Working these days with a nearly six year machine is not
something most of us would look forward to. And with the falling prices of
pretty decent desktop PCs available today (in the $300 to $400 range since
you already have a monitor & printer I assume) I really think that would be
the way to go unless of course you simply can't afford that option.

Should you go that route you would install your present HDD as a secondary
HDD in the new system and extract whatever data you need. Understand (in
virtually every case) you would *not* be able to transfer
programs/applications over from that "old" HDD to the boot HDD in the new
system. Thus it would be necessary to install those programs & applications
"fresh" so to speak. So if that (the direct transfer of programs from the
"old" HDD to the new one) is an important or necessary condition for you
then obviously you should ignore my suggestion.

Anyway, if you do go that route and purchase a new desktop ensure that it's
equipped with an IDE connector to accommodate your IDE (PATA) HDD. Lately
we've been coming across some machines that no longer contain an IDE
connector, just SATA connectors. They're in the minority but they are out
there. So be aware of that.

Frankly, moving your present HDD over to a supposedly working PC of the same
"vintage" (make & model) that's six years old and trusting that all will
work just fine, i.e., the transferred HDD will boot without incident and
function without any problems is really not much more than a crapshoot in my
experience. I would urge you, if at all possible, to consider the option
I've recommended.

On the other hand if you're able to purchase the same old PC make/model at
some trivial cost and by & large you're satisfied with the general
performance of that machine when it's properly functioning, then I guess
it's worth a try.

I did fail to mention (and this could be important) that in all likelihood a
new desktop machine will be equipped with the Vista OS since low-end
desktops with XP installed have virtually disappeared from the mass market
(although some of the local PC shops apparently still carry low-end machines
with the XP OS). So what I suggested may really not be a viable option for
you assuming you do not want to work with the Vista OS. Obviously if you had
no problem with Vista you could still extract the contents (your personal
data) from your present PATA HDD as I previously detailed.

Install the drive and update all the drivers then activate it. Simple as
that. Why people post answers that are mere guesses is beyond me. I replaced
an old Intel board with a new Gigbyte and that is all that was needed. You
should know better then asking anyone on a troll ridden usenet group.

you offer no proof nor documentation your statements are correct, just one
personal incident where you managed to slick by with no repair install.
try again, this time provide proof of your statement! ie microsoft document
showing it's not necessary to perform a repair install when installing a new
MB, when the rest of us know it's necessary more times than not.

sometimes you can manage to not have to do that, but more often you will
find it is necessary.

And if the OP's machine will not get to the point where he is able to update
drivers, he does what exactly?

If lucky, as you were,he will be able to do what you did. Unfortunately,
others are not so lucky and have to do a repair install..

Would you care to enlighten us as to the whereabouts of non-troll ridden
usenet groups. Actually, this one isn't bad, try rec.photo.digital or
the Ubuntu group.

Clone the drive before you do anything fool.

Why do fools like you insist on passing along rumors and misinformation? If
you don't know the answer then don't respond. This topic is years old where
the facts have been distorted beyond belief. Google how many times it has
been stated that it can't be done and how wrong it is to even try according
to far to many part time experts that obviously have no real life.

What you are saying in this respond it something you have no first hand
knowledge of but yet you seem to feel you are obligated to forward what
amounts to nothing helpful and totally inaccurate.

YOU are the idiot not me,foool. I have done what I claim many times. Now I
am showing fools for what they ar like the number one fool here YOU..

I offer first hand proof. What do you offer?

More than one. Do you think some how that it was a fluke and would never
happen again? I have done it many times starting with backing up the drive.
The easiest thing first. What have you do with your simple life?

Do you think MS makes all the rules moron? Man you trolls sure are a stupid
bunch.

WOW, that sure is a professional observation. Did you learn this from usenet
posts? Unfortunately you are spreading rumors again. Get a clue fool.

I will never claim there is any usenet group that anyone should expect
accurate answers from.
If you want to learn how to hack your System then you seem to have come to
the right place. Get answers from professionals that make their living by
doing what some seem to think they know how to do here. Get a better price
then $500 for this job, that's for sure. I know a small business near here
that would do it for less then $200 including parts and labor so shop
around.

I don't know what other people claim that they have done or
not done. I however changed a mainboard, RAM, CPU and video
card. I made sure that the boot order in the BIOS was
floppy, CDROM, HDD, I then made sure that the BIOS set up
was the same. I then booted with a win98 startup disk,
inserted the OEM XP disk, booted and clicked install and XP
said that it found a previous install and would I like to
repair it. I pressed R and it is now working just fine.
Activated, all settings and applications.

You are increditably lame. I never claimed they were not necessary and
didn't work you buffoon. The inacurate information is as I have stated.

This part here slows guy:

" In order for the old Gateway
hard drive to work correctly, you must locate a 100% exact replacement
Gateway system (which is a challenge.) Otherwise, you will need to do
an XP re-install / repair install."

This is true:

"You would most likely have to do a repair install before it would run"

A repair install is not ALWAYS necessary.

Simple facts are that a repair install is not needed most times when
changing a motherboard. If that is to difficult for you to understand then
you are in the right group and have plenty of company.

Top posting will never change for sure!
Being a troll, not me, you seem to be the one who likes to argue.
you never offered any proof, of your statements, so what point is proven,
MINE!
I won't waste my or anybody elses time in further response.

How many do you think are ready this fool? You made a troll out of yourself
some time ago. Deal with it.