switching to new MB, Ram and CPU can i keep original windows

HI guys and gals,
I have just recently brought a new "to me" MB, Ram and CPU i was planning on using my 2 current hard drives, case and burners. i was wondering is it as easy as just plugging my current hard drives into my new MB and windows will load up or do i need to do a complete reinstall (dont really want to lose some programs that i no longer have the original discs) and what about the other hard drive this one only has data is this one fine just to plug in or does this need to be formatted as well??

 

I think it should work, I haven't tried anything like that myself, but I don't see why it shoudn't.

 

dj
are you using ntfs os like xp? if so it may be possible but you have to do a few things first.
1)back up your data if you can, in case you lose it!!!!!!!!
2)remove all the drivers for your old hardware.
3)boot up to your os disk with hdd installed on new board.
4)do a repair on your os by choosing 'R' and choosing the directory where your os is installed. it rewrites your system files
5)update all you drivers.

FYI- This does not always work so try to do #1. AND keep in mind it is usually best to do a fresh install of an os when making that big of a change.

 

In relation to the chipset question, what is the old motherboard? What is the new motherboard?

 

current board is PCchips M810LR, new board is a MSI KT4AV, both CPU's are AMD. OS is XP

 

ok the kt4av i think is a via chipset and the mt810lr is a sis chipset both are socket a motherboards. you can try what i posted but like ddp said windows may barf itself. back up anything you don't want to lose or netter yet do a clean install of your os. lots less headaches in the long run!

 

thanks guys. was hoping to avoid a reinstall, but if it will cause less headaches in the long run im sure i could manage to do it and back up what ever i can. as for the programs im sure if i miss them i can always get them again