I've gotten lucky with this too, but if your old drive is formatted in NTFS,
if something goes wrong or is incompatable you are in for a long love affair
with Recovery Console, which isn't a pretty sight.  This is my preferred
method:

If the old machine still runs, use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
found on the Windows XP Pro CD. This will work on all operating systems back
to Windows 98. If there is enough hard drive space to fit the compressed
backup volue on the old drive, then copy it there or to a removable device.

Do a clean install of XP on the new machine. You might have to call
Microsoft to reactivate the software. Then run the wizard to restore your
files and settings from the backup. You may have to reinstall some programs,
but all your documents, favorites, mail settings and files will be in place
just like you left them.

I typically reformat every six months using this method and have found it to
be the most reliable method. You may get lucky just uninstalling drivers and
installing the old drive, but the extra steps here are cheap insurance and
makes upgrades much less painful.

Good luck,

Larry A. Kaduce


 


-----Original Message-----
From: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dave Jones
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 9:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] New system, needing help


Shouldn't be a BIG problem.  If there's anyway you can put the HD in another
computer and boot into safe mode and remove all the devices from the device
manager it will go easier, but it should work, I've done it a few times, but
be prepared to re-install all the devices on the new system, have the
motherboard CD handy.

Dave Jones
http://www.vdoguy.com
http://www.airmemories.com

Camel: A horse designed by committee


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Whitmoyer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 6:45 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] New system, needing help


> I have been using an AMD Duron 1.3G with 60G HD, 512MB Memory and 
> running WinXP Pro as an operating system. I have just completed 
> putting together a 2.2 AMD Athlon and want to start using this as the 
> main computer. Is there anyway I can just put m old hard drive in the 
> new unit and keep all data and programs? I cannot afford to lose what 
> I have on it.
>
> Ray Whitmoyer
>
>             Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to
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