Installed a new bigger hard drive; Can I just copy WIN XP folders

[Guest]

I recently installed a 2nd bigger HD (200 GB vs the original 7.6 GB), and
have moved all my MS Office docs, xls, and pictures to the big drive. Also
installed some apps like scanner software, Adobe photo, and Presswriter on
the big drive. I think I might have made a mistake by not installing WIN XP
on the new drive. Should I have put the OS on the new 200GB drive??

Before I install MS Office on the big drive, I'd like to know (1) is it OK
or not, or not recommended to have the OS, drivers & video support on one
drive, and everything else on a second drive, and if not (2) can I just copy
all the Windows and drivers folders to the new bigger drive and have
everything work OK?

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I recently installed a 2nd bigger HD (200 GB vs the original 7.6 GB), and
have moved all my MS Office docs, xls, and pictures to the big drive. Also
installed some apps like scanner software, Adobe photo, and Presswriter on
the big drive. I think I might have made a mistake by not installing WIN XP
on the new drive. Should I have put the OS on the new 200GB drive??

Before I install MS Office on the big drive, I'd like to know (1) is it OK
or not, or not recommended to have the OS, drivers & video support on one
drive, and everything else on a second drive, and if not (2) can I just copy
all the Windows and drivers folders to the new bigger drive and have
everything work OK?

You can not just copy the folders over, you would need to use a third
party application such as Acronis True Image or Norton's/Symantec
Ghost.

If I were in your shoes I would disconnect the old drive and jumper it
to be slave. I would then install XP and my applications to the new
drive (set as master). I would then reconnect the old drive copy my
data to my new user account on the new drive and, once I was sure I had
every thing I needed, reformat the old drive and use it as a backup
repository for my important documents.

 

[Guest]

dear GreenieLeBrun
Thank you very much for your help. I sincerely appreciate your guidance and
speedy reply.