[HANSS0L0]

I'll start with saying that I am somewhat new to building PC's and I am only 15 so I don't have a lot of money to fix my issue.
But here is my dilemma:

About a year ago I got an old Gateway GX7022E computer from a relative that I was planning on fixing up and modifying; which I ended up fixing and using for a while. But because the default case form was a BTX, I couldn't make any serious modifications.

I later decided, on a budget, to buy a new case, PSU, mobo, RAM, and graphics card. However, I stripped the old Pentium D 3.0ghz processor and hard drive from the old Gateway to use in my new build. Since I am new to building computers I figured because the OS and all my old files from the Gateway were on that hard drive, I could just put together all the new components and my new PC would boot up with no problems.

I now know that there is more to that when installing new major components like a motherboard, but now I am completely lost where to begin in getting my PC working with the old hard drive. The hard drive had Windows XP SP3 installed when I took it from the old Gateway computer.

So I am wondering if there is any way that I can get my computer working without having to go buy a new OS. And being my first build can someone also tell me what I have to do during a first time boot.
Thank You

[stevecook]

You will need a Windows XP installation disk and the product key from your original installation.
See here: http://supportpcs.co.uk/installcd/winxp.html
Perform a repair installation on your new build from this disk and possibly your pc will then boot, however sometimes a complete format and reinstall is required; I'm not sure if you are allowed to do this as Microsoft will see this as a new computer and therefore should have a new license.

[crjdriver]

Have you read the guide at the top of the hw forum for swapping boards without a reinstall?

You do have another problem here however; you cannot run the oem version of windows on a new mb. OEM type lic live and die with the original hardware ie mb. When you swap boards, the lic is no longer valid.

If you do not want to buy another copy of windows, then you might want to checkout running linux.

[Zuggel]

Originally Posted by crjdriver

You do have another problem here however; you cannot run the oem version of windows on a new mb. OEM type lic live and die with the original hardware ie mb. When you swap boards, the lic is no longer valid.

If you do not want to buy another copy of windows, then you might want to checkout running linux.

M$ is not nearly as picky about that with XP anymore, I just redid a dell pc with with a bad motherboard (replaced with new motherboard, psu, case: same processor, HD) and there was not an issue activating it.

[crjdriver]

I am not referring to whether or not you were able to activate, I am referring to the fact that it violates the EULA for oem type lic. As such we cannot give advise on how to circumvent the agreement.

[HANSS0L0]

Well thank you for the quick reply, I think that im gonna go with stevecook's solution and if that doesn't work then ill try Linux.

[DoubleHelix]

stevecook's suggestion is a violation of the licensing agreement. Even if it technically works, your install will not be legal, and we can't help you with it.

[HANSS0L0]

I guess im going with Linux then.

[stevecook]

Good luck with the Linux - sorry for the inappropriate advice!