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Can I simply swap hard drives?
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More Cowbell:
I have a computer in my MAME cab running at 1ghz currently. I bought a 1.7ghz computer and want to upgrade to that. Can I simply swap the hard drives or will this confuse the system? I don't want to start from scratch in copying files and configuring. I also have a video card that allows me to use s-video. Can that simply be swapped to the other system too? In my mind this would all work. Is my mind a good resource for information though? Not always.
Teebor:

What operating system please?

XP- Give it a go, often works out ok. but can be fixed by re-installing over the top usually so settings are kept intact

DOS - should be fine

Vista - Never done it myself but I wouldn't bet on it :D
TOK:
I've always done a format and install on a new machine. The thing that might cause you the most trouble are the things built into the motherboard, like if your current system has an NForce chipset and you're installing on a motherboard with something else. It might just detect the new IDE controller and start using it, or it could just totally freak out and won't see the hard drive.

If I was going to try it, I think I'd probably going into Device Manager before the last time I shut down and uninstall all the motherboard related stuff so that they are hopefully just re-detected when you fire up the new machine.

 
leapinlew:
odds are, it won't work.

You'll want to reformat.
Ed_McCarron:

--- Quote from: Teebor on September 24, 2007, 10:34:10 am ---XP- Give it a go, often works out ok. but can be fixed by re-installing over the top usually so settings are kept intact

--- End quote ---

Often?  Unless the mobo has the same exact chipset, XP will crash upon boot.  Real PITA.  Don't think I've seen this work once without requiring a fresh install.

Please tell me I'm missing some simple step that makes life easier?
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