If I replace a computer with an old master hard drive will it still have all the files?
27. Dec, 2010 
1 Comment
Question by sgtfirpo: If I replace a computer with an old master hard drive will it still have all the files?
My computer broke but the hard drive still works and I’m wondering what would happen if I replace another computer with this hard drive.Its from a Windows XP and I want all those old files on another computer because they are important.
Best answer:
Answer by Valerie B
It most likely won’t work.. too much different hardware. Windows will just fail to load.
You could add the drive as a slave to the computer so you can copy your files.
What do you think? Answer below!
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You can put the drive in the NEW computer as a slave and all the files, pictures, data will remain. You can access them and move them or leave the old drive in place as a storage device. Any program that requires the registry will not work but all the files will be there.
It is doubtful if it will boot up with ONLY the old hard drive as the OS is specific to the motherboard and the configuration of the computer when Windows was initially installed. If the two computers have very similar architecture and motherboard designs then it may work.
If you decide to leave the old drive in place delete the Windows folder off the OLD Drive to free up tons of space on the drive. It will still work fine.