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Hi Lowell,

Yes you could do it this way. Have the new 80gb, install windows xp (which would make the drive bootable). Then use Acronis. There is a disadvantage with doing it this way, and that is both drives will be looking for data on drive c:, which means that when you boot up on your secondary drive d:, everything will still load up on c:, unless you physically disconnect the drive each time you want to boot on the old drive!

The best way to do it, if you can, is to install windows xp from scratch on your new drive c:. Then add your old 80gb, and install windows xp from scratch and select d:. During this installation, a startup menu will automatically appear. Each time you bootup your PC, you will be able to select which drive you want to boot from without having to unplug anything.

There are other options such as drive remappers, but are dangerous to use on disks that already have other software, than the basic OS installed.

Would you suggest partitioning my new hard drive ?

Not really Low, not unless you want to do it for any particular reason. I tend to keep all my documents, films, music in a seperate folders instead of a seperate partition. At least this way, you only have to worry about running out of space on 1 partition instead of 2!

I have installed the new HD and it works great. I found that using Western Digital "Lifeguard" program to install and transfer was the easiest way to go.
Thanks for all the help, it was much appreciated.
Lowell

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