Can i use laptop hard drive in a destop as boot

7 replies [Last post]
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 09:49
Gamingsince1997
Gamingsince1997's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/19/2010
Posts: 18

Can i use laptop hard drive in a destop as boot so i dont have to buy windows 7 again ?

Hello

Top
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 10:00
#1
Elazar55
Offline
Joined: 04/05/2011
Posts: 27

yes. but buy/acquire a 2.5" to 3.5"adapter cause most desktop cases are only 3.5".
but remove the drivers first, and then download the proper ones after on the desktop.

Top
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 10:07
#2
Gamingsince1997
Gamingsince1997's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/19/2010
Posts: 18

Thank you so i just get a an adapter then connect use a sata cable then download the latest drivers from the website is it that easy?

Top
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 10:24
#3
Elazar55
Offline
Joined: 04/05/2011
Posts: 27

If you still have the laptop, uninstall the drivers on it first. Then you can mount it (with the 3.5" adapter) to the desktop and connect the sata power and data. It should then boot up from that drive as long as it's the only drive connected. Then you can get the proper drivers from the vendor's site. If you don't have the laptop where the hard drive came from, I think you can go into safe mode and do it from there so you don't get any driver conflicts (not 100% on that though). If you do have more than one drive you can go into the bios to change the boot drive, bios(es) are different from brand to brand so I can't tell you the exact steps for that.

(example : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994087&cm_re=2.5_to_3.5_bracket-_-17-994-087-_-Product)

Top
Mon, 04/11/2011 - 10:52
#4
hnkftalnot
Offline
Joined: 10/14/2010
Posts: 262

Short answer is No. It will BSOD at boot, because the drivers from the laptop's motherboard do not work on the desktop pc.

The solution would be to load the drivers from the desktop's motherboard onto the drive before transferring it to the desktop pc. It might then work, but I've never tried it.

Top
Mon, 04/11/2011 - 15:26
#5
Tivon
Tivon's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/26/2002
Posts: 1721

I'm going to also agree with hnkftalnot on this one. Leave the laptop alone and buy Windows 7 HOME OEM.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Don't test my skills, I was trained by myself!™ Check out my Gaming Videos!

Top
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 16:53
#6
Gamingsince1997
Gamingsince1997's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/19/2010
Posts: 18

Ok ill have to buy win 7 then ! :(

Top
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 17:11
#7
eire1274
eire1274's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/12/2003
Posts: 1033

Okay, the BSOD prediction is wrong. Win7 is built with a series of generic drivers that will kick in when the expected drivers are absent, so it will boot, and attempt to configure itself for the new hardware.

But that is the crutch: the copy of Windows 7 you received on your laptop is registered to that hardware, and once running on the desktop, it will freak out with the scope of hardware changes, deactivate itself, and force you to call Microsoft. Microsoft will politely call you a pirate, and then try to sell you a new key.

Just buy a new copy. It's not worth the trouble.

Nick McDermott

Top