johnhook

dkbond07,

Provided you have the original XP install CD for the PC you're transplanting the new hard drive in, you can install that drive in your PC, boot from the XP install CD and run a re-install over the existing copy of XP on that hard drive (pick the SAME folder where Windows is already installed, DO NOT re-partition or reformat the drive in question). This is what's known as an "in-place" install. This will re-install Windows while preserving the filesystem on the hard drive you're installing to. This re-install will force Windows to redetect all of the different hardware on the machine you've transplanted your friend's hard drive into. This should leave all of the files on his drive intact.

The problem with this method is that you'll likely have to re-install programs and may have issues with file permissions and other settings from the old Windows installation.

If you're not comfortable with cloning - I might recommend that you backup and/all data (documents, music, videos, pictures, etc.) from your friend's hard drive FIRST, put his drive as the MASTER in your PC, boot from the Windows XP install CD that came with YOUR PC, and do a FRESH install from scratch (re-partition and reformat your friends larger hard drive).

Using THIS method, you'll still have to reinstall all applications, restore all the data, re-configure your settings, etc - but with a FRESH install on this drive, you'll eliminate the potential problems with an "in-place" upgrade.

I still maintain that cloning is the cleanest solution - but if this is not something you're comfortable with - I would do a fresh install on your friend's drive. Just understand that everthing is going to be wiped out - so you'll need to have backups of your data and copies of any/all programs you need to install.

- John