motherboard change, windows xp

[hrickb44]

I am upgrading my motherboard, so I want to do a fresh install of home xp. Problem is I really would like to keep my files intact, especially my network settings. I have a small home network, and it was really a project to have it running as good as it is now...lol I also have my desktop,my internet connections,browser favorites, I would like to keep as much of this as I possible could. I was told about the windows connection wizard would that work? I do have a dvd recorder to copy with. We are talking about 9 gigs of important stuff here. I know there is an easy answer but I really don't know it. I could really use your help. I even went out and bought another 80 gig wd hard drive cause someone told me that I might be able to use that to copy it, since the new motherboard has raid. This upgrade involves a totally differant mobo chipset 133 to a 400, if that info will help. I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks Rick

 

[Insidious]

HiYa hrickb44 Welcome to AT

If you do your clean install, then shutdown, plug in the Old HD as a second drive, then boot from the new install and use Windows Explorer to copy whatever files you want onto the new HD. (Your BIOS will probably recognize two bootable operating systems and ask you to make a choice after the POST screens.)

You could also try the file and settings transfer wizzard in WindowsXP to export the stuff you want to save to a CD (if you have a burner)

Or you could even get tricky and format the new HD with a second partition big enough to hold the saved stuff, Run WindowsXP (from existing setup) copy your stuff to this second partition, then do your clean install on the first partition and use windows explorer to transfer any files you need to.

 

[hrickb44]

Thanks for help Insidious. I'll try it. I really think I need to do a fresh install, then I can use the new hard drive to access the old one.