Upgrading computer question
 

If I get me a new computer, can I just rip off the old HD's from my current machine and stick them in and the OS etc in place should work? Of course not drivers and such since the hardware is different.

I know windows and such have to be atleast re-validated, as I had to do that when I changed motherboard on my current machine..but can I change EVERYTHING except HD's?

you are much better off doing a clean install.

it might work but you will probably run into problems.

I don't know, but I will bet you will lose more time trying to chase down every little driver error than if you just added your drives to the new computer with a fresh OS as slaves.

sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't....it is WAY better to do a clean install though

majority of the time all the drivers and shit will conflict, and it will give you constant blue screen hardware failures

You're asking for trouble doing it that way... mostly troubles from drivers etc. chances are, it will never quite work the way you want. Feel free to slave the old drive, then you can transfer all the old data nice and quick though :)

Damn. Guess I'll have a fresh start then :(

Fresh is the best way faster in the long run

Everytime Ive tried it, its worked about 10% of the time.. You usually end up with a blue screen of death on boot.. it sucks ass big time.. Id recommend using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Its under
START-PROGRAMS->Accesories->System Tools
Do that, then if your using outlooks or outlook express, go get a backup program from download.com so that you dont loose any emails, contacts, etc.

Do a clean install.

Take your old drives and put them in a $25 USB external drive box. Use that to transfer your old data to the new machine. After that, reformat the drive and use it for backups.

like others have said, clean install is the only way to go...

Should I repeat?

Clean install...
Better safe than sorry :)

I've done it the way you are asking about. From experience, do a clean install. It's better all the way around.

Also, use dual drives. Keep most of your work related stuff on the 2nd drive, and only essential programs on main. Not only does it help down the road. But in case something goes a rye, you only have to reinstall the programs and do not have to lose/move everything.

Back up the 2nd HD once a week/month on an ext for added protection.

:2 cents:

I have like 7 HD's.. I only use c: for programs..

..but I have a lot of programs, and add-ons to photoshop etc that I'd need to refind somewhere as I don't have the original .zips and stuff. That's why I wanted to keep my original C: + programs in it.

clean install for sure. It doesn't take long, if you can install to a new hard drive or use the program called ghost to backyour your current hard drive to another one, then install windows, copy back your documents and saved files etc.

Drive space is cheap. He could just RAID 0+1 up to the smallest drive size or buy another similar dirive for RAID. Use the backup tool to schedule regular dumps to an external USB drive.

yes, the best answer.

get usb 2.0 or firewire HD boxes on ebay cheap.

the best ones have internal fans, they they can run 24/7 with your computer.

you could try putting in the old drive into the new box and then do a repair install of xp, i have had fairly good success with this.