replacing hard drive, doing it right?

[nerdgirl]

Hi all,

I am getting a new hard drive to replace my bad booting one. I was able to read my files on another computer after I took it out and hooked it up as a slave. I was advised to just get a new hard drive, reinstall all my programs, and then hook up my old drive and transfer my files.

My concerns:

1. I need to do a fresh new install of Windows with the new hard drive, right?

2. When I reinstall everything, I need to do it as if it is a brand new computer, right?

3. I built it about three years ago, so I when I install everything again, I’ll need to reinstall all the drivers, patches, and the like, right?

4. I need to go directly to Microsoft and download all the updates and everything, right? My XP Pro disk does not have SP2 on it.

5. After I have all my programs installed, then I can just bring my files over, right?


So, am I correct in proceeding this way? Is it just that easy? Well, not easy, but is this the gist?

Thanks so much in advance for all you help with poor old nerdgirl’s troubles.
ng

[mjolnir1134]

Quote:

1. I need to do a fresh new install of Windows with the new hard drive, right?

If thats the drive you plan booting windows off of, then YES. :P

Quote:

2. When I reinstall everything, I need to do it as if it is a brand new computer, right?

[nerdgirl]

Thanks mjolnir1134. I really appreciate the response.

I guess I'm in for a day of installation fun. I'm still a dinosaur and use dial-up.

Thanks,
ng

[paul9]

I would recommend that you at the very least have an up to date firewall such as Sygate or Zone Alarm on disc before you install XP. Install it before you ever connect to the internet. A fresh install of XP can be hit by an internet worm within a surprisingly short time of connecting to the internet. It can easily happen in two or three minutes. An antivirus program with recent definitions would be good too.

[nerdgirl]

paul9,

I have Trend PC-cillin 2006 I was going to install. Is that okay?

Thanks,
ng

[DoctorReno]

IMO PC-cillin 2006 is a good anti-virus program.

[paul9]

It's good as long as you install before you connect to the net. I never tried 2006, but I liked an older version I had.

[DoctorReno]

I agree with paul9 an if possible from secure maching downoad the most curent virus definitions and install them B4 you ever get on the net and attept to update the difinitions.

[Coolzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir1134

If thats the drive you plan booting windows off of, then YES. :P
Yup. :P
Yup, because your software you bought originally came WITHOUT updates.
Windows Update should do its job automatically getting the updates for you.
Of course

You pretty much got the gist of it. Just make sure you didn't reinstall windows XP too many times in the past. Because I heard you can only install windows xp only a few times. But I suppose the phone support can help you out if you explain to them your problem if the windows activation says something. Always worked for me

Yeah, XP home. I think you can only install it 3 or five times. As for Windows XP Pro....you can install that many times

[cmptrgydv]

you can install xp home all you want on the same box,

activate it a 100 times if you want