Crashed Computer - Migrade Hard Drive

[Aeonic]

I have two computers that I've acquired which both have Windows XP installed. However, I lack the means to reinstall these operating systems and none of the installation CDs that I've tried have worked. Both of these computers are now facing the same dilemma - I've had to swap out the motherboards. Now the hard drives with the pre-installed Windows XP OSes don't boot anymore.

Since I lack the means to reinstall them, and recovering them with the CD that I have doesn't seem to work, I'd like to know if there's something that I can do to get these OSes to boot with foreign hardware. Any suggestions?

[Raymond]

If you move the hard drive to another computer, definitely you will get a blue screen and unable to boot in Windows.

The solution is here: http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/07/09/move-windows-xp-hard-drive-or-change-motherboard-without-getting-blue-screen-of-death/

[Polkadot]

If it was OEM version, it will not work with new mobo. Sad fact, but that is how Dell/Hp can buy Vista for $15 per copy. The OS is married to the hardware.

[Aeonic]

I'll look into that, thanks.