will cloning my hard drive work?

Question

I realize this is the thousandth time this question has been asked here, as I've been reading the existing ones, but none seem to exactly answer my question.

I have recently purchased the components to build myself a new computer. However, as the prices of certain operating systems are expensive, and I've already dumped a large volume of cash, I'd like to save some money. Thus I'm looking into cloning my hard drive so I can utilize the OS thats already on there. From what it seems, Acronis will do this, as well as Macrium Reflect. However, I'm going to be installing my laptop hard drive "components" into my new desktop hard drive with all new devices. Does this mean that cloning is out of the question, because of incompatability issues?

If this is possible, will Acronis or Macrium Reflect allow my hard drive to fully function? i.e., as if nothing ever happened, or will there always be certain issues? if so, I would be most grateful if they could be elaborated on, so I can gauge whether they can be lived with.

as a side note, I do own a hard drive docking station.

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

Answer 1

OK, if the Windows operating system came pre-installed by the manufacturer on the old PC (as all store purchased computers do) that OEM license key and the Windows installation is only good for the old PC.

You will not be able to use it on any other PC as it is only valid, legal and activated for that old computer.

Cloning your hard drive will only make that new hard drive work in the old PC.



You can ask all you want, but it is not possible. End of story.



If however you yourself installed the Windows OS on the old PC from a full version Install DVD, just use the same full version Install DVD to do a clean install on the new PC. You can use the full version Install DVD only on one PC at a time, just install and activate via internet or by phone. You will no longer be able to use that key on the old PC once the new one is activated.

Answer 2

Cloniing does work I use a cloninig docking station , the only hassle the drive your going to use has to be larger than the one your cloning for read/write purposes. I used Acronis once an it wasn't very successful, As you are going to use a laptop drive to to clone from you will still need a cloning device due to different connection interfaces, they both be SATA but one is a 2.5 inch. I purchased one on eBay for $30 AUD posted from China, look under computer accessories on eBay. Only because of the comnnection interfaces.Acronis requires the connections to be internal, so you going to come up against the same issue with Acronis software.

Answer 3

because of the fact which you very own the two complicated drives... it is not unlawful (interior the country) to clone your complicated force. it particularly is been a criminal precedent for some years that a backup of your media is criminal, as long as you're actually not utilising the backup on the comparable time because of the fact the unique. it is against the licensing of many products of application to apply the 2nd complicated force to run a 2nd reproduction of a software on the comparable time (specific, an OS is a software) in case you positioned yet another pc mutually, caught your previous force in it, and commenced it up, technically which would be unlawful (copyright infringement). specific, in spite of if abode windows refused as properly, you had to apply portion of abode windows to be sure if abode windows might artwork. ;>

Answer 4

Tigerdirect.com, you can purchase an OEM version of the OS of choice for $99 to $139 approximately.



The difference here is, its strictly the operating system, no extras and you have to agree to support it as if you were building and selling computers.