Newb Question... How do I transfer WOW to new lappy?

Greetings... I just purchased a new laptop and need to install WoW on it. I still have the install disks from when I purchased it way back when. It's currently installed on my old laptop.

Do I need to buy it again, or can I somehow use my old key (i.e., remove it from old laptop and put on new one)?

Thanks.

 

Just install using your old key and just log in to the game as you normally would

 

i don't think that works... i tried to install it on my brother's computer and it said that the key is already in use or something to that nature...

 

Transferring the game to a new laptop while not playing the game any longer on the old hardware is different than trying to run two different instances of the game using the same CD key. Since WoW requires you to log in their server before you can play, only one player can be on it at any time. That's why your brother is getting the CD Key in use message.

Edit: You can always buy another copy of the game for your brother.

 

Indeed. You can't play at the same time with the same key.

 

ah ha, that makes sense... thanks

(like i said, newb question)

 

You shouldn't need the key you just install it and log into your account...

 

okay well, i'll get it up and running tonite and let you all know if i'm having trouble.

thanks!

 

You need the key to install. But you can use the same key on different computers. You just can't log on to WoW at the same time with those computers you used the key on

 

FAIL, you do not need the key to install. Only for activation of the account.

Funny thing, with WoW, you can just copy the directory from Program Files on the old PC, put onto a large flash drive or external HDD, and paste it into the new PC's "Program Files". You don't need to install it.

 

Well you didn't have to say it like that....my mistake. I thought my friend and I used the key or I guess I just stopped paying attention

 

If you still can't install, get a trial key, install the game and use your old account.

 

This can be done with all of steam and all the games you have from steam too. I find it usefull for reformating, i just put them all on a EHD

 

As previously stated, no need to install, just copy all of the files in the world of warcraft folder over to the new computer. This was my method for transfering my wow from my desktop to two laptops.

 

This is true. It saves a ton of time. Instead of installing, I've copied the WoW folders and just played off of that. You don't even need to move it into Program Files. You can stick it wherever you want.

 

interesting... already used the discs to install, and it seems to be working.

EXCEPT, it won't download the **** updates. so, here's another newb inquiry...

i've disabled the antivirus software (NOD32) and i disabled the windows firewall. BUT it still won't download.

from my research, it sounds like i might have to open some of the ports in my linksys wrt54g manually... any other suggestions?

and thanks for all the help so far!

 

Disabling the firewall makes WoW's updates download slower. If you're going to use WoW's downloader, the thing that works best is to make exceptions in the firewall. Here's the page on how to do that http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21015&rhtml=true?rhtml=y . Alternatively, you can do what those of us that think the downloader is too slow and a total pain do and download the patches from a mirror.

Here's File Planet's patch archive:
http://www.fileplanet.com/100462/0/section/Patches

And Ten Ton Hammer has one too:
http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/26964

There are others out there, I just couldn't tell you where to go.

Also, you should be able to copy your WoW folders from computer to computer. Additionally, you can always download the game by going to WoW's website ( http://www.worldofwarcraft.com), going to account management, logging into your account management, and on the first page, under Free Services, it has "download game client and it's expansions." My WoW account's been inactive for around six months, I logged into it just to ensure I wasn't leading you wrong, and it will still let me download the client if I want. I imagine it has your product key linked to your account so you won't need to repurchase the game every time you try to rid yourself of the monkey.

Also, if you want to save your character data/UI/set-up, you just need to copy your W T F (no spaces though 9.9 the profanity filter doesn't appreciate that's not a bad word) files and Addons files to the new computer in their proper directories where ever you installed WoW. Those files contain your character data and mods. It's also good to know where to those files are in the case you ever have a huge wow crash that forces you to delete and reinstall (or use the full repair utility) as you can save your character's set up that way. They're somewhere in the WoW program directory, and I recall them being very easy to find. I believe the Addons file is in the Interface directory. I don't remember exactly where the W T F files are, but they're not easy to miss if you look for them.

 

great thanks cynamyn, i'll try it tonight!

 

This is true, there are no registry keys used for Wow, it is a localized installation. Zip it up (or dont, shouldn't matter) copy it over, run executable.