Hello
you have a couple of sticky points to consider and "work" into your equation
cloning and imaging really works best for the machine which the image or clone came from.
if you are using windows vista >>>> just plain forget about this whole adventure (vista will see this as installing the OS on a completely diff machine)
if you are using win xp then I suggest the following
#1 I strongly suggest you buy a hard drive for use with the new computer; install the new hard drive in the existing system / then use XXclone or drive image your choice to clone or image the complete contents of your booting OS
you will then need to boot the old machine with the clone or image drive / then you will need to run SYSPREP to prepare the drive for transplant into the new machine
if you do not remove all system drivers from the windows OS prior to transplanting the new hard drive, the result will be some nasty BSOD's as the new hardware of the new machine will activate the win xp HAL and send it for a fit of unhappiness
The SYSPREP will force the win xp OS to perform a new hardware initialization when the new machine boots up
here are the cloning guides
http://www.techsupportforum.com/arti...ard-drive.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/arti...e-another.html
here is the guide to run sysprep
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/inst...oard/winxp.htm
(see solution #5)
the article refers to swapping a motherboard, which is similar in scope to your adventure