Ghosting WinXP installation to new hdd?

Anonymous

Veteran
Anyone used software like Powerquest's Drive Image to copy an entire WinXP installation to a new hdd? I'm about to install a new SATA drive and want to move my XP installation over to it from my old 5400rpm 20GB IDE drive, but am concerned it break something (product activation? registry?). Anyone have any experience with this?
 
It might break product activation, but it most certainly will break your ability to boot, unless it is supposed to be a second drive or something.

Windows not knowing about the SATA drive its installed on = bad.

Don't bother trying to ghost it to the new drive. Install a fresh copy on that SATA drive... you'll have to insert the disk with the drivers for the SATA controller you are using before Setup will see the drive.

HTH
 
I once used Ghost to migrate my WinXP from a HD to another HD (different size), and change the MB at the same time (although the two MBs are very similar). It works and didn't require me to reactivate.

Of course, if you use an add-on card for SATA, you may have issues with boot, as zsouthboy said.
 
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