Hey, i posted a question in the motherboard forum about my ide hd and it was answered very well thanks to all involved. So know i want to replace my IDE HD wit a SATA HD. Now here is my next question. I have windows xp Home on my existing IDE hard drive, and obviously i want to change to a sata drive, brand new of course. I am willing to do a complete format and install windows xp again but will my existing windows xp software allow me to change the hd and install it on a new one, because one of my mates said that windows xp doesnt like hardware changes, even with a new install, obviously i will have to do a new install anyways, cause its a new Hard Drive. Thanks, Granto1000

My real question is, i didnt make it clear, will i have to get a new copy of windows xp to install a new sata Hard drive.. Thanks, and sozz for beating around the bush... Thanks, Granto1000

Hi again

You will be able to install a clean copy of XP onto a new SATA drive. If you're worried about the Windows authentication locking you out because you changed hardware, don't be, it happens to me every time I install XP on my PC and all you need to do is call the toll-free number and it's all automated.

whats the number. and what do you have to say to microsoft

The number will be in the install process, at the end (if you do need to call them). All you do is read out a long number that is on the screen to a machine and then they read back another long number that you type in...easy.

ok, so they pretty much unlock it, but is it always 100% success, cause isnt this problem all to stop piracy etc. Also i have never changed Hardware, but i spose i will still have to call microsoft.. Also, with the way i had my IDE channel set up, cdrw and HD on the same channel, is that ok for the time being, and with a sata drive, will i notice a considerable performance jump, cause i dint want to have to pay $90 bucks, Australian to get only a tiny performance boost. Thanks mate for yopur help also...Granto