New install of XP and applications on 2nd HDD

[Guest]

I am running an IBM xSeries eServer. Spec: 1Ghz cpu, 1.15 Mgs RAM, Radeon
X700 256 Mb video card and 3 x installed HDDs OS: XP Pro SP2

My existing copy of XP Pro has become very querky and I have reluctantly
decided to do a complete reinstall, together with all the usual apps; Office
etc.

I am not worried about data transfer; I have used Files and Transfer Wizard
a couple of times and it's absolutely great. But, I use the PC all the time
and want to minimise both risk and downtime.

I have three HDDs installed as above and one is new, bigger than my existing
primary one and empty. I also have a brand new, genuine XP Pro disk, bought
for an upgrade from Win 2000 on another machine which I never did.

Question: Can I set the installation process to install XP and then all the
apps (from original disks) in the new HDD, whilst still leaving my existing
installation untouched and then, after this is complete, simply swap the HDDs
over so that the new one is in the primary drive position and subsequently
format the old HDD or do I have to do something more complicated at the end.

I am hoping that I can do all the installs bit by bit, in my spare time and
then do a quick swap of data and get on with my work. Is it really that easy?

Advice gratefully received

 

[DL]

You can install winxp on any of your hd's, followed by apps
But no you cannot then swap the hd's about.

Pull all your hd's leaving only the clean hd, install winxp and apps, once
updated, connect other hd's as slaves and copy data at your leisure

 

[Guest]

You can install winxp on any of your hd's, followed by apps
But no you cannot then swap the hd's about.

Pull all your hd's leaving only the clean hd, install winxp and apps, once
updated, connect other hd's as slaves and copy data at your leisure



Thank you DL.

OK, if I understand you correctly, I can do a full, clean install on my new
HDD, having put that in my primary position, with no other HDDs installed.
But are you telling me that I cannot then take that new HDD out and replace
my original one with the old OS on it in the primary position and expect it
to work as before?
I am sorry to sound dum, but it is just that I have a lot of apps that I use
on this disk and I was hoping to install them all freshly and configure them
over, at least, two sessions, even though that means opening the box up
twice, otherwise I will pretty much lose a day's work.

I would appreciate it if you could clarify for me.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards

 

[DL]

Well you can install as I said then pull the disk and replace with origonal
which will then function, but I have to say taking the time out to install
all / most initially in one go might be more productive in the long run.

I've assumed in all this that apps were installed on the o/s drive and not
your other drives
If you install win on a new primary drive any apps on the other drives will
not run untill they are reinstalled.

 

[Guest]

Well you can install as I said then pull the disk and replace with origonal
which will then function, but I have to say taking the time out to install
all / most initially in one go might be more productive in the long run.

I've assumed in all this that apps were installed on the o/s drive and not
your other drives
If you install win on a new primary drive any apps on the other drives will
not run untill they are reinstalled.




Many thanks again. Yes all apps are on the original OS drive. You are probably right. I want to start with a completely fresh install for everything and taking sufficient time out to do it all properly will undoubtedly pay dividends in the future. At least I now understand what can and what cannot be done.

Great help. Thanks again

Regards