Question regarding HDD's, reinstalling OS, and new computers

[SirFelixCat]

So, I'm about to start building my new rig and am going to be cannibalizing the HDD"s from the old rig for the new one.

I plan on partitioning my Raptor into two partitions...1 for Vista and one for programs/drivers etc. The other HDD is going to be for music, data etc.

As it is right now, I'm going to move the data/back it up that's currently on the Raptor and completely wipe it and start w/ a fresh install of Vista (moving from XP). Most of my programs (games, poker, etc) are on my other HDD.

The big question(s) are this:

-When I wipe the Raptor clean and install Vista, even though the programs are on the other HDD and untouched, I'm still going to have to reinstall them right? Any way around that &/or shortcuts?

- Or can I, after installing Vista and all drivers and programs, make an image of the HDD and then use that to reinstall Vista if/when I want to reinstall the OS? Then maybe do monthly backups/image so that I can just use that to reinstall the OS?

Again, any way around that and/or shortcuts for that?

TIA!

 

[SirFelixCat]

Was it that hard of a question fellas? Can anyone help here?

 

[Old Hippie]

-When I wipe the Raptor clean and install Vista, even though the programs are on the other HDD and untouched, I'm still going to have to reinstall them right? Any way around that &/or shortcuts?

No shortcuts. Virgin install all the way.

Or can I, after installing Vista and all drivers and programs, make an image of the HDD and then use that to reinstall Vista if/when I want to reinstall the OS? Then maybe do monthly backups/image so that I can just use that to reinstall the OS?

Absolutely. Just the same as with any other OS. I use Acronis True Image.

It's not that it was a hard question, it's just common knowledge that I would suspect anybody who's been here 2 yrs. and can use the search function otta know?