New XP Install

[badnewcastle]

Just ordered a new HDD and I want to do a fresh install because I have 2 hdds in Raid 0 and one of the drives connectors is going bad.... I want to put a fresh hdd...

I have backed everything up on external hd's and want to install the new 320 GB HDD.

Can I just install the new hard drive and install windows on that drive while keeping the old xp and drives setup, without loosing any functionality?

Also, I remember when I first installed xp 3 years ago it wasn't recognizing large partitions? I will be using an old XP Pro for the installation... It doesn't even include SP1.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: badnewcastle
Also, I remember when I first installed xp 3 years ago it wasn't recognizing large partitions? I will be using an old XP Pro for the installation... It doesn't even include SP1.

That's going to be a hangup. Slipstream SP2 into the WinXP installation files and make a new CD. http://www.nliteos.com/

Important: before you install the new WinXP, unplug the data cables from your RAID drives (and label them so you get them back on the right drives). If you don't, then the bootloader for the new install will end up on... yeah, the failing RAID array. 😛

 

[badnewcastle]

Thanks mechB, I will try the slipstream again. When I first installed this system I slipstreamed SP1 and usb 2.0 never worked... had to install using the original cd.

So I can have two separate operating systems on the same computer, but I have to unplug the drivers running the current system first? and after the install I can plug them back in?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: badnewcastle
So I can have two separate operating systems on the same computer, but I have to unplug the drivers running the current system first? and after the install I can plug them back in?

Yeah. Afterwards, you'll have to use your motherboard's boot-device priority list in the BIOS to select which OS you want to boot up, but the new installation should be able to see the data on the old disks once you have the driver software installed for the RAID controller they're hooked up to.

It's likely that you'll run into NTFS file-system security when trying to get at some of your stuff, too. Don't panic 😀 You haven't been encrypting files or folders, have you? If you have, back up your keys while there's still time.

 

[Willoughbyva]

There is a little program that is easy for slipstreaming sp2. I think it is called autostreamer.

 

[badnewcastle]

Thanks mBg! nLite worked perfect. Funny thing is after copying my original windows cd into a folder, the cd got stuck in the drive and upon removal the top was scratched. Yeah the original is destroyed.