Thinkpad Harddrive swap and XP...will it work?

[webb3201]

Here is the sitrep: I have an R51 running Linux and a T40 with XP..i want to swap those arrangements. IF I pop the T40 hard drive into the R51, will XP be able to recognize and update based on hardware changes?

[Stargate199]

It depends on the chipsets. Either Windows xp will not work if you change the chipsets or will ask you to reactivate (which won;t pass since OEM licences cannot be transfered to other computers). You will have to reinstall windows to get it to work. I am unsure if the R51 and T40 share the same chipset, but my bet is no. IF they do, a hard drive swap should be fine. Do some research to see if they do have the same chipset. Everything else will not matter. You can perform processor and memory upgrades with out bothering windows.

[carbon_unit]

When you go to activate windows it will fail. Just call Microsoft and they will probably activate it for you.

[underclocker]

Before I try these maneuvers, which occasionally do work, I Ghost my source drive. Just in case.

Generally, if the hard drive controller is compatible (or if you manually install the correct drivers before the swap) it will work.

Let us know if the T40 -> R51 swap works.