My old WinXP (Toshiba) laptop, which I really like better than the new Win7 Dell, has a few poblems. It's 9 years old, and I think the screen has gone out. The computer works on an extenal vga monitor. Another problem is that somewhere along the line, the Fn key (function key) has quit working; probably a missing or corrupted driver, but I don't know how to find or fix that. It's more an annoyance that anything. Being 9-10 years old, it's much slower than the new one, but I still actually prefer using the old one. Keyboard just so much better that the Dell.Installed larger H.D. a few years ago, and it now has many business and personal software programs, which I need, and some may not be available to install on another computer. So I was wondering if I removed the hard drive, and mounted it in an external USB-connectable case, if I could use it an external drive to the new Dell; say drive "E:" or whatever. Is that feasable, or is it possible to move applications (programs) from the old drive under WinXP, to the new one which is Win7?

You can set up the old drive in the manner you describe but you can only access it as a storage device. You cannot run any programs on it. You will have to re-instal the programs on the new laptop and then access the data on the old drive.

You could certainly use the external drive to access any data you have on it but accessing or moving the programs to the new Win 7 computer is problematic.There is software out there (LapLink PCMover) that claims it can do it. I've never used it myself but understand it is hit or miss as to what programs it can successfully move.You would be much better of re-installing your programs.

I have successfully used the Sabrent model EC-TB4P 2.5" SATA hard drive/SSD to USB 3.0 enclosure to attach my old SSD drive to my new laptop. My new Win8.1 laptop assigned a drive letter for me. I was able to copy everything I wanted from my old SSD. As far as copying programs, if the program you want to copy is a single executable file (e.g., myprog.exe), then yes but most programs in the last 10 - 15 years contain many files that must be "installed".

I can see a problem with running a old program on a new computer. Many times the new computer can not run the old applications. Sort of a way to sell you upgraded and updated software! Usually the company that wrote the software for say Win98 will not 'upgrade' to the latest program, but require a new program. If the new program can access the old data from the old program, consider yourself lucky. Many times you might have to put all the data back in. Good luck!Fred.

Bill S. wrote:My old WinXP (Toshiba) laptop, which I really like better than the new Win7 Dell, has a few poblems. It's 9 years old, and I think the screen has gone out. The computer works on an extenal vga monitor. Another problem is that somewhere along the line, the Fn key (function key) has quit working; probably a missing or corrupted driver, but I don't know how to find or fix that. It's more an annoyance that anything. Being 9-10 years old, it's much slower than the new one, but I still actually prefer using the old one. Keyboard just so much better that the Dell....My screen on my Toshiba went out too! I just left all my stuff on the Toshiba laptop. Here is what I did:Not in the mood nor do I need to buy a new laptop so I picked up a monitor (at of all places found in a thrift store for $10.00!:B) Hooked it up to the lap top and found it awkward to type on the laptop off to the side.Sooo, found a used usb keyboard for $2.00 and hooked that up to the laptop.Laptop is off to the side as the computer and my new screen and moveable keyboard is in front of me. Much easier on the ole back.Problem solved and I don't have to transfer all my stuff. Laptop automatically recognized the monitor and keyboard. The whole set up cost me a whopping $12.00!FYI. With the onset of everyone using ipads and iphones, etc the nonprofit thrift stores are chock full of donated computer parts for giveaway prices.

Can old laptop hard drive appear as 2nd drive on new lapop?

BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Feb 20, 2015
Sometimes you can find a used screen on Craigslist or similar place.
Many laptops die when the motherboard goes out in them. The rest is usually still serviceable.
Maybe even run a wanted ad there.
Bill_S_1
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Well, after all things considered, I may just decide to replace the screen, and I am guessing, but that may also require replacement of the inverter module, or something of that sort. That may not be a long-term solution, as it's still the same old laptop, but that may be just enough.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 18, 2015
Everything said is valid
And last night I was playing "Space Cadet" pinball,

The best pc pinball game ever, on my Win8 laptop
But it will not, save scores, (oh it goes thru the motions),
And I have to run the space cadet.exe file that is in the folder on my desk top

Accessing data is NOT hard, but often the programs that created those files will not run, because of the many registry entries
What you Can do with the drive from the old laptop
Will depend on what those programs are, that you are interested in
rk911
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
BobsYourUncle wrote:
You can set up the old drive in the manner you describe but you can only access it as a storage device.
You cannot run any programs on it. You will have to re-instal the programs on the new laptop and then access the data on the old drive.

or you could re-install the old programs on the old drive that is now connected to the new laptop via USB. the key is you have to re-install those programs.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2015
It is also possible to install Virtual Box on your new laptop and run the XP install on the old drive in a virtual machine- there are ways to convert a physical machine to a virtual one. A bit of a pain to convert in the first place, but once converted, it should run with zero problems.
Bill_S_1
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Thanks for all the help.Fred hit the nail on the head; some of the programs (not just .exe files), are no longer available, and several others offer only a much more expensive, more "feature-packed" version that I do not need or want, and it only costs about $2000. The old, fewer fetures version that I have been using for more than 10 years, works just fine, and suits me perfectly.

I may use rockhillmanor's suggestion about adding an external KB, but believe it or not, I have never found a pc keyboard I like better than my old Toshiba Satellite.

I might aldo try the software conversion utility to see if I can bring my progs over to the new pv. Thanks again
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2015
The answer is ... Complex

You can indeed install the old HD in an enclosure and see it with the new computer, Have done that many times over the last 30 years or so.

HOWEVER..... Windows programs which are INSTALLED, write to the registry, if you had to install with a license key those programs will not work.. Even if you did not need a key to install they MAY not work.

Why, because the key gets stored in the Registry or in some other file that has to be in a sub folder on the main system drive and there is only one drive with that id (the main drive on the computer)
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
Bill S. wrote:
My old WinXP (Toshiba) laptop, which I really like better than the new Win7 Dell, has a few poblems. It's 9 years old, and I think the
screen has gone out. The computer works on an extenal vga monitor.

Another problem is that somewhere along the line, the Fn key (function key) has quit working; probably a missing or corrupted driver, but I don't know how to find or fix that. It's more an annoyance that anything. Being 9-10 years old, it's much slower than the new one, but I still actually prefer using the old one. Keyboard just so much better that the Dell....

My screen on my Toshiba went out too! I just left all my stuff on the Toshiba laptop. Here is what I did:

Not in the mood nor do I need to buy a new laptop so I picked up a monitor (at of all places found in a thrift store for $10.00!:B) Hooked it up to the lap top and found it awkward to type on the laptop off to the side.

Sooo, found a used usb keyboard for $2.00 and hooked that up to the laptop.

Laptop is off to the side as the computer and my new screen and moveable keyboard is in front of me. Much easier on the ole back.

Problem solved and I don't have to transfer all my stuff. Laptop automatically recognized the monitor and keyboard. The whole set up cost me a whopping $12.00!

FYI. With the onset of everyone using ipads and iphones, etc the nonprofit thrift stores are chock full of donated computer parts for giveaway prices.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
I can see a problem with running a old program on a new computer. Many times the new computer can not run the old applications. Sort of a way to sell you upgraded and updated software!

Usually the company that wrote the software for say Win98 will not 'upgrade' to the latest program, but require a new program. If the new program can access the old data from the old program, consider yourself lucky. Many times you might have to put all the data back in.

Good luck!

Fred.
BobKrogstie
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
I have successfully used the Sabrent model EC-TB4P 2.5" SATA hard drive/SSD to USB 3.0 enclosure to attach my old SSD drive to my new laptop. My new Win8.1 laptop assigned a drive letter for me. I was able to copy everything I wanted from my old SSD. As far as copying programs, if the program you want to copy is a single executable file (e.g., myprog.exe), then yes but most programs in the last 10 - 15 years contain many files that must be "installed".