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#1
11-02-2009, 01:30 PM
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Myself and a friend wish to swap computers but keep our own hdd's. Is this possible?
Ok, essentially, my friend has a Dell Dimension DM051 which I am hoping to swap with my own Packard Bell IMEDIA 1529 and we both wish to keep our own hdd's. The trouble is that I have read that if I put my hdd in her computer and vice versa that the operating systems will not run.
So, basically, what is the best way to go about swapping computers with minimal complexity? Can I plug my hdd into her computer as a secondary drive and copy her operating system files onto my hdd? And then do the same with hers on mine? If so, how? Or do I need to reinstall the operating systems on both computers? I am not what one may call technically minded so please keep any advice in lamens terms. Thanks in advance. Trevor 
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#2
11-02-2009, 02:11 PM
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The easiest would be to not worry about actually swapping the hard drives...just back up all your personal data, then using the factory restore option, start over with the basic factory set up.
And no, that isn't particularly easy/uncomplicated...but it is probably the least complex method.
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#3
11-02-2009, 02:26 PM
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Thanks for the fast reply. The problem / reason for wanting to keep our own hdd's is that my hdd is 500gb and hers is only 160gb so not all of my data will fit on hers...
Is reinstalling the os on each comp the only way?
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#4
11-02-2009, 02:42 PM
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Yes, because modern Windows versions are not only complex enough that drivers between the different hardware could be conflicting enough to cause problems, but the OEM versions that come pre-installed are intimately tied (through hardware hashes and other methods) to the machine it is originally installed to...this is coupled with the fact that the license agreement only applies to the original install/hardware too.
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#5
11-02-2009, 04:22 PM
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Considering both of these computers are desktop units, why can`t you just leave both as is and install a (500GB+) storage drive in hers? Then you could easily fit all your files onto it.
IMO, this is actually the easiest way outside of the drive`s cost only. When you first get the drive, slave it to your own and copy all the files you want, then transfer the drive to hers and make the swap. If she has files she needs put on your`s just do the opposite.
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#6
11-04-2009, 01:22 AM
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Hi guys. I went with the reinstalling the os on both computers route and so far so good. I'm using my friends computer now with my original 500gb hdd
 Cheers again for the replys. Trevor
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