Using old hard drive in new build.

[PlanesWalker]

ok I'm building a new PC from a bare bones kit all parts are going to be new but the hard drive which already had windows xp home installed on it. my question is do need to still set up the bios. this is my first build. :)

[glc]

The bios should detect the drive no problem. You will need to do a repair reinstall of Windows, procedure is in a sticky thread in the Tips and Tricks forum.

[PlanesWalker]

ok so i looked at the procedure in the forum and it looks pretty simple but my question is does it delete data such as music and other files like that.

[sgtspector]

No a repair simply reinstalls the windows operating system files leaving the data files as is. But if you can back the files up first it wouldnt be a bad idea.

[flanzig1]

If the hard drive came out of a name brand PC(Dell/HP/Emachine) XP will probably not work on the new board board. If XP is a retail version, then your OK. If you do a repair install, you will need to redo the XP updates.

[PlanesWalker]

oh ok then the Os is a retail version i installed after buying a new hard drive so thanks for the help also i cant really backup my files seeing how my current desktop is dead and the hardrive is the only thing I'm willing to use considering its only 6 months old lol :)