Changed my mobo/cpu/memory, same HDD, need help installing XP...

[Vega]

Title says it all,

my main problem is installing XP on the same harddrive/partition over the old XP installation.

My HDD is partitioned 3 ways, C,D,E drives. XP is on C, Norton Ghost bacup image on D, media files and the like on E. When I boot the XP install cd I get as far as where it prompts you to select a partition to install XP. The issue is that is does not see any of my partitions, only "unpartitioned free space".

I don't want to Killdisk & repartition because I'd like to save the info on the E drive. Can someone please advise me how to get around this?

Thanks

 

[krnmastersgt]

Does it see the whole drive as un-partitioned free space or just the leftover amount you had prior to hardware change?

 

[Vega]

just leftover space on the drive

 

[RebateMonger]

Normally, when moving an existing XP install to a new motherboard, you'd do an XP "Repair Installation". This will keep all the applications and data in place. However, I wouldn't touch anything without a backup of important data on another physical hard disk.

The XP Install CD is SEEING the hard drive, but no partitions? Has this PC been set up with dual-boot OSes at some point?

 

[Vega]

no, never a dual boot, & yes the XP Install CD is SEEING the hard drive, but no partitions...

 

[Vega]

Can someone recommend an easy to use Bootable CD program to copy the contents on my E drive to another Harddrive connected to the same mobo?

-Thanks

 

[Pantlegz]

any liveCD linux would work. Ubuntu is what I use, it's free and easy

 

[rasczak]

you wouldn't happen to be using a pre sp 2 windows cd would you? if so do you have the sata controller drivers on a floppy to install during the load?

 

[bruceb]

First, never store your Ghost Image on the same drive as your OS or your primary drive. If that drive fails, your Image goes with it.
Now onto the problem of the install. Easiest way is to copy your "D" (Image) and "E" (Media) to another drive. Then allow XP to format and install on your old drive if that is the one you want to use. After XP is installed you can setup a partitions as needed.
Better method is just the OS & Program installs on a small drive (about 40 - 80GB would be plenty) and keep your image and media files on the current drive.