changing HD drive from one machine to another.

[Clarence Wilson]

I've just put a hard drive into a HP I've had for few years, which eats up hard drives. I removed it from a newer Gateway which went south after a couple years. They said it was the Board which was shot.

The HP came to life at once, but a message said I have to have it signed by a Microsoft rep., in order for Windows to start? I'm to contact them over the internet. I am in the garage up on the hill.

My internet machines, This one. etc., are wireless, so I am wondering if I can by pass this problem, somehow.

Thanks.

CEW

[Wiz Feinberg]

There should be a phone number to call Microsoft to request them to issue you a new product key code. You should tell them the circumstances and offer to read out the product key on a hologram sticker that should be affixed to your PC.

I don't know whether Microsoft will grant you a new activation code, but either way you are going to have major trouble trying to run the hard drive from another PC on this one. All of the device drivers are wrong and probably will not work. You will not be able to gain Internet access until you load the correct device drivers for that machine.

[Clarence Wilson]

Thanks Wiz:
I solved the problem, at least temporarily, by installing the Gateway Disk, which wiped out the HP stuff. I have to start from scratch, now, but I am able to get onto the internet. I have 30 days to get in touch with Microsoft.

I have a hi bred, now. Gate+HP. The Win 7, the Win Vista and the this old x model are strange bedfellows to put in a home network.
CEW