Ok, here's my problem. I actually have 2 questions, But looking for the simplest way to do this, other then re-installing xp. first...I started with a small 4gig-HD & quickly ran outta room, so I got a second HD, a 20gig. Now can I either copy all my files N programs, including my xp over to the 20gig. Yes, it will be running the same pc. Or should I keep "just" xp on the 4-gig & re-install my other programs & stuff onto the 20-gig & run them from there.? & can I do this without furture problems, as long as I remember to download & install to this second HD.? Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks, Maxx, in London ON.

yes you can do both... Your 2nd option is the easiest. How ever if you want your 20 gig as the main drive. The simpliest way would be to buy a ghosting program like Norton Ghost. There are other ghosting/mirroring program out there. This will transfer all data and portion of the boot record over for you. Junk Internet Explorer, Get Firefox! You'll be happy you did.

4GB may end up being too small for your "core" XP installation. I tend to install apps on a second partition to try to keep the C: small for Ghost Image backup but it frequently exceeds 4GB. You don't get to choose where Windows Updates and many apps go during installation.

maxx, It's interesting that XP has in the Accessories - Systems tab a "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" which migrates files and settings from one computer to another, but nothing for transferring from one harddrive to another within the same computer. While this capability existed in Win98 with the DOS "xcopy" command (with appropriate switches), this same command will NOT transfer everything in XP. Therefore, the only way to successfully transfer everything is to use a third party tool such as Norton Ghost. Additionally, you can leave XP on the 4 GB "master" drive, and install everything else on the 20GB "slave" drive. I - Sandor J Sound judgement, with discernment, is the best of seers. - Euripides (B.C. 480 - 406)

Just a suggestion: The 4gig drive is probably a 5200 speed drive. If the 20 gig is a higher speed (7200), opt for cloning the drive over to the 20 gig. If both are 5200's, go with the OS on the 4 gig and use the 20 for storage. If you opt to clone the drive; go to the manufacturer web site of the 20 gig drive, there you should find the needed utility for cloning the drive to the new larger one. These utilities are usually free of charge. You may find that there are two options for cloning, one is in Windows and the other uses a DOS type of utility. Opt for the DOS utility because you will lose the boot.ini file by cloning in Windows. There are ways to repair/rewrite the boot.ini however. You could also save your current boot.ini and add it after cloning, but you would have to go through more steps then just cloning in DOS the first time around. Be sure you choose the correct drive to format and copy too. If you get it in reverse, you'll loose all data on the 4 gig. Be sure to print out all directions for using either utility. Fear not, if all doesn't go well at first, you'll still have the 4gig with all you current necessary data.

Thanks for all your great help people. I knew I could count on speedy replies from all of you. & by the way, both speed the same (5400RPM) thanks again, Maxx