The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    When transferring an SSD from one laptop to another, new install required?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ricksaint, Oct 14, 2011.

  1. ricksaint

    ricksaint Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    231
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Just found a bargain on a HP Envy 17 and couldn't let it go :).
    I installed the 128gb M4 in the Envy and... it booted! Almost all the installed programs still work. Now, is it a matter of reinstalling, the new drivers and everything will be alright, or will I run into problems? I'd like to save the trouble of having to do another clean install if I can ;).
    BTW, Windows is already activated. When I sell the old laptop, the Windows key will be the same as mine. Will that be a problem for the buyer?
    When I try to run ABR, I get an error msg.
     
    ricksaint, Oct 14, 2011
    #1
  2. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,354
    Messages:
    4,449
    Likes Received:
    476
    Trophy Points:
    151
    1) Windows 7 is pretty good about re-installing base drivers from one laptop to another. I've moved drives from one system to another before, and it worked just fine.

    Granted, you're going to get the best system performance if you do a clean install, to wipe out all presence of the old drivers. But you should be fine, especially going from an HP DV8T --> Envy 17 (very similar laptops).

    Yes, you will need to re-activate Windows when you move your M4 SSD to your new Envy 17. You will need to use your Windows product key, or supply a new one.

    The buyer of your HP DV8T will need to use a Windows product key as well. It can either be the one that comes with your HP DV8T, or one that they supply on their own. It does not really matter where the Windows product key comes from, as long as you are using a product key for the correct edition of Windows 7 (Home Premium or Ultimate; OEM or Retail), and both parties are not sharing a product key.
     
    kent1146, Oct 14, 2011
    #2