What if I formatted hard-drive of this computer, wiping all- and then restored last backup from my recently deceased XP computer. would I then resurrect my old computer, only with the enhanced specs of this machine? Thanks. What if I formatted hard-drive of this computer, wiping all- and then restored last backup from my recently deceased XP computer. would I then resurrect my old computer, only with the enhanced... » Read More What if I formatted hard-drive of this computer, wiping all- and then restored last backup from my recently deceased XP computer. would I then resurrect my old computer, only with the enhanced specs of this machine? Thanks. « Show Less
227310
You may have missing function using XP. This laptop is made for windows 7/8. I would not recommend it.
921783
If it would take it you would have to install xp and then try a restore. But with the bios and chipset it may not work right.
921784
No. smile. the version backed up from your old computer has files in it specific to that hardware. It would be nice, though, wouldn't it!
721762
Mine was an XP, I needed to be able to connect an internal hard-drive to capture some info from my last XP that died.
1619512
I agree with what A.Karantze said and make sure before you do this that you backup all of your important documents, pictures and music before wiping your system because once you wipe your system you can't get anything back. I hope this helps you with your decision
2184714
I did not format the drive as it was from an older computer and I needed the files from it. If it was a new drive you may need to format it. Most new ones are formatted to use with a Windows computer. I have a Mac and they pretty much will read anything. If it was a new drive I would format it just to make sure it worked with my computer, Mac or PC.
624648
I've would suggest not installing a previously used drive (assuming you have an old 5400rpm drive lying around, hence your question). When I installed a used drive (not formatted) it crashed the system. It only seems to like new, formatted drives. Mine does happen to be a 7200rpm WD
2178923
So long as the computer can recognize the drive, you should be able to format it. If the drive is dead even this device won't help you.
108985
Yes. It was loaded and setup with Windows XP Professional before the hard drive was formatted.
479204
When I did the clean Windows 7 install on my old Lenovo X61 laptop, all my old data files and program settings were copied to a directory called "Windows.old" on the C drive. The actual programs were not copied and had to be reinstalled from disk or download. As a precaution, however, before starting I copied everything to a backup USB hard drive just in case the install failed for some reason. If Windows XP doesn't work at all on your computer and the system does not boot up, you probably need to get some sort of recovery software and copy your data off before you start - just in case . . . . . When I did the clean Windows 7 install on my old Lenovo X61 laptop, all my old data files and program settings were copied to a directory called "Windows.old" on the C drive. The actual programs were not copied and had to be reinstalled from disk or download. As a precaution, however, before starting I copied everything to a backup USB hard drive just in case the install failed for some reason. If Windows XP doesn't work at all on your computer and the system does not boot up, you probably need to get some sort of recovery software and copy your data off before you start - just in... » Read More When I did the clean Windows 7 install on my old Lenovo X61 laptop, all my old data files and program settings were copied to a directory called "Windows.old" on the C drive. The actual programs were not copied and had to be reinstalled from disk or download. As a precaution, however, before starting I copied everything to a backup USB hard drive just in case the install failed for some reason. If Windows XP doesn't work at all on your computer and the system does not boot up, you probably need to get some sort of recovery software and copy your data off before you start - just in case . . . . . « Show Less
2234027
No u have to format.. partition.. and load Windows 7..if it's a new drive u have to do a fresh install..
513058
It did not work for me. My advice is do not take a chance on it. I downloaded the FREE EaseUS ToDo Backup application and cloned my entire hard drive to a smaller solid state drive as easy as copying files in windows. Then I just plugged the new drive and it started the computer just like the old one. I can't imagine it can be easier than this.
861159
no, there is no system restore disk for this laptop. But once you boot system up for the first time, have a blank disk ready, it asked if you want to make one, so technically speaking you have a backup for your system if you do this step. If you don't do this turn on system restore and you can always have a point to go to restore your laptop.
1255345
I have a 160 gig drive from a crashed laptop. XP argued about it but relented and there is no problem with 7.
427918
Actually, these drives are pre-formated for NTFS. If you use the WD Data Lifeguard Tools software, you can quick format the disk in 60 seconds. And you can format it as either as bootable or as a secondary drive. I don't "think" you got a reused drive.
1599691
As I answer, remember... my hard drive got wiped. Make certain you switch your hard drive to "slave" status if you haven't already. Otherwise, you should be OK.
644365
There are two methods you can recover from here, you can restore to a previous point under the start up menu when you are starting you machine, or, if you made a recovery disk when you started your machine the fist time that is your best bet. The recovery disk will contain the missing file. If you do not have that contact Dell and see if they can ship a recovery disk, the last thing is to do as I did and buy one from Amazon. I have been able to restore several machines in this manner. I hope this helps.
2203537
I am NOT an expert, but it made old drives I took out of my old laptops behave like external drives. Your new computer will probably ignore all your VISTA files on the old drive. It is mainly a way to access data files on your old drive.
2276044
All computers/laptops (well, almost all modern) can be formatted with windows 7. There CAN be complications if done wrongly, so I suggest you not re-format it, if you are a newbie at doing such things. You must make sure to have an OS copy of Windows 7. In case you are asking this because you think windows 8 will hinder the performance of the laptop, I thought so myself, until I bought this laptop and used it. Windows 8.1 dealt with many issues that Windows 8 had, and I am finding that windows 8.1 is not as bad as I thought. There are a few things you have to learn, but mostly, it is almost the same as 7. All computers/laptops (well, almost all modern) can be formatted with windows 7. There CAN be complications if done wrongly, so I suggest you not re-format it, if you are a newbie at doing such things. You must make sure to have an OS copy of Windows 7. In case you are asking this because you think windows 8 will hinder the performance of the laptop, I thought so myself, until I bought this laptop and used it. Windows 8.1 dealt with many issues that Windows 8 had, and I am finding that windows 8.1 is not as bad as I thought. There are a few things you have to learn, but mostly,... » Read More All computers/laptops (well, almost all modern) can be formatted with windows 7. There CAN be complications if done wrongly, so I suggest you not re-format it, if you are a newbie at doing such things. You must make sure to have an OS copy of Windows 7. In case you are asking this because you think windows 8 will hinder the performance of the laptop, I thought so myself, until I bought this laptop and used it. Windows 8.1 dealt with many issues that Windows 8 had, and I am finding that windows 8.1 is not as bad as I thought. There are a few things you have to learn, but mostly, it is almost the same as 7. « Show Less