As long as the laptop recognises the hard disk, Windows will probably boot into, at least, a basic graphic mode and then ferret around for the right drivers*. The one problem that you may encounter is that the versions of Windows are almost certainly OEM ones that can only be installed (legitimately) on the original machine so it may revert to being an unregistered version. Using the code on the machine that the disk has been transplanted to may well solve that. I've heard of people having problems and having to phone Microsoft for a new licence code - usually with no problems in the case of a replacement hard disk - but I've never had experience of having to do this personally.
(*I had this when I built a new desktop PC (I tend to do that sort of thing!
). I'd put the old disk in so I could get data off but was going to do a fresh install of Windows. I didn't hit the button to choose to boot from the Windows CD/DVD quickly enough and the machine booted up off the old disk. Every single bit of hardware apart from that hard drive was different but, after extended chunnering away finding drivers, it booted up fine. Admittedly that was with a retail version of Windows so experiences with an OEM version may be different.)
Rick.
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
