HDD from old computer into new one?

[bonoz]

I have never done this before, but I have a hard drive with xp sp2 pro installed on it but I have a new motherboard and processor on the way and I was wondering if there is a way I could boot to xp without formatting and loosing all my data? I have back-up but it would be nice if I could keep all the data.

Is there a possibility? I'm thinking maybe I will have to reinstall XP without reformatting it? maybe via the recovery console? but I don't know.

Also will it make a difference if I just switch my jumper settings so my HDD now is SATA 3 isntead of 1.5?

Thanks.

 

[bonoz]

Anyone? I guess all I want to know is if my hdd from my old computer will work with the new motherboard/pc.

 

[peterhuang913]

It might work and it might even require a system repair. Best bet is to reformat for better performance.

 

[Black Falcon 921]

It might work and it might even require a system repair. Best bet is to reformat for better performance.

Beat me to it, was going to say the same thing. It might work but with everything I have done I ad to a fresh install on that much of a change. It can't hurt to re format be a lot better off in the long run, that is if you have the time to deal with it.

 

[Ste]

The only way is to perform a Repair (Not the recovery console), it may or may no work. But peter is right, a clean format and install of windows is best.

This is why you need to back up all data before preceeding. Just in case the repair does not work.

 

[bonoz]

so the repair is done by pressing the "R" when running the setup with the CD?

 

[Ste]

No, you go to install windows, then when it detects a previous version it will ask if you want to do a repair install, you then hit whatever button it states for that. Probably R, but only after it detects a previous version.

Remember to back up all important data first.

 

[bonoz]

how can I back up without repairing xp first?

 

[Ste]

By using your old computer to burn the files to a disk or copy them over to another harddrive.

You had the harddrive in another computer before this right? So just pop it back in, burn a few disks/dvds and then you can try a repair on the new motherboard.

 

[peterhuang913]

Backup means to save all your important and precious files that you needed to another hard drive or to a CD.