I have a 19.9 gb hard drive. I want to get a bigger one. Is it correct to assume I can install it on the same computer and simply copy the files(and applications) from the smaller hard drive to the bigger one? Will this be a problem?

Are you are asking: "Can I transfer the enire drive contents (OS/apps/utils/data) from my original drive to a newer one; and then have it boot etc...?" If so then yes - all things being equal, as long as you go about it correctly. Many new drives come with a util that allows you do this; the new drive can be made bootable thereafter and become the new Master. If you don't have the util, visit the web-site for your drive and see if it's there for download. Also consider: http://www.geocities.com/pc_files_transfer/ The reference/site above discusses Acronis... It gets excellent reports here from assorted users... http://winhlp.com/WxMove.htm also discusses the issue. Equally, perhaps leave 19.9gig as Master, Slave new drive to it; use Slave for data only... Partition Slave to have Primary and Extended partitions; both can be used for data. And if need-be (current drive fails...?) the new/Slaved drive can be set as Master, an OS etc. installed to the Primary, and the drive made bootable...