Installing old HD on new MoBo

[Flybywyre]

Decided to install a new MoBo bundle that is on offer DURON 1.3GHz, H/FAN, ASROCK K7VM2, 128MB DDR 266) into my old computer as an upgrade. Can I just plug the existing (Maxtor 20GB)HD into the board as it is (XP pro with 87% free space) or will I have to reformat it beforehand and then reload the OS etc once I have installed it?
Thanks in anticipation
FBW

 

[paparazi]

XP is extremely flexible and will probably detect all the new hardware changes and boot into Windows BUT!
To be honest, your old installation, with it's old driver setup, will almost always prevent perfect operation.
My advice is to back up any important files and clean install Windows, you will be much happier with your upgrade in the long run.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Flybywyre]

Hello Martin
Thanks for your very quick response. Your reply is what I expected. I thought it sounded too easy just to plug it in. I may very well be doing a simmilar excercise on another PC that has HD contents that need to be saved in it's entirety. Can I use one of these HD copy programmes that are available with confidence? Having never attempted it before a little worried that I might run into problems and lose this chaps HD contents.

 

[Jontmke]

If you have the new drivers for your motherboards chipset, and the old drivers for your peripherals, everything should be fine.
You will have to reboot a few times to get everything recognised, but I have done this before.

It is a good idea to back up the drive first. I suggest using Ghost or Drive image to make an "image" of the drive so you can go back to exactly as it was.

Jon

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)