Hi im currently putting together a new computer, but i still want to use my old Hard Drive. Do i have to reformat the Harddrive or can i just connect it and it will load all the new hardware normally along with XP. I do know for sure i have to probably uninstall my old graphics drivers and sound drivers.
If the motherboard chipsets are different then yeah, you will need to reinstall windows. Though not necessarily format it. tbh if your changing most of your hardware its a good opportunity to format it though.
so.. how would i reinstall it ? **i put in all the new parts etc.."" old mobo ---> p5b-e P3 ---> C2D 384 pc 3200 sd ram ---> 1 gig ocz ddr2 old psu ---> 550wat psu radeon 7500 ---> 8800gts Keep old 30gb harddrive =) ""i turn on the computer"" will i get an error or something, or do i have to put in the XP cd and make bios read the CD-rom first, and reinstall it.
Just boot from your xp cd rom, when it comes to the part where you would normally delete your old partition ad create a new one and then select that partition as the install destination simply select the partition which windows is on now and select install. Just dont delete the partition! Its late and I think I made that seem more complicated than it is! You will have a fresh install of windows but your documents and programs will be untouched. If you use a windows install from a different motherboard you are using it will probably crash all the time. I cant even get to the windows loading screen with the PCs we have. As always, backup your important stuff before you try reinstalling windows!
