buying a new computer, how to transfer?

I've had my computer for about 4 years now, and with my tax return, I've decided to upgrade. Back then, 1.2 ghz and 256mb RAM was a pretty nice computer, but now its just a pain in the ass.

Now, when I buy the new computer, I have 40gb of stuff on my current one. Music, games, programs, videos, tons of stuff I can't do without. Now, if I were to physically swap the new hard drive with my current one, would that cause major hardware and compatibility problems? I would assume so.

I bought a new 80gb hard drive, so maybe put it in my current computer, move everything to the 80gb, take it out, and partition it into my new computer? Whats the easiest way to do partition?

All help will be appreciated, TIA

If you just want access to the files, I would just connect it as a slave drive after your new PC is up and running and then delete programs and OS from your old drive.

If you want it all to show up as one big drive, you will need to format both and create one partition. There is third party software such as Partition Magic that can create the single volume without reformatting.

Or you can just ghost it :)

I've done this always- take old HD out and put it in as D: or whatever it will be designated as on the new computer. Stick it in a computer bay and plug it in. It will work. Than you can drag whatever you want to the new HD. You still have to install programs since they are not recognozed in the registry but all the stuff you're talking about will be fine.
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What twitch said is essentially correct, but don't forget to select the right settings in the BIOS so you boot from the correct drive etc.

you could also set up and ad-hoc where your 2 compys are linked by cat5 and transfer as if you were on a network.

Even at 100mps it would take a LOT longer.

Oz- very true, but for the non technical people, it's the way for them to go. Myself I'd do the slave drive thing.

Yeah I just slapped the old drive into there and transferred the files. Thanks for the help guys

Almost forgot- make the old HD the slave by changing whatever configuration it needs to be with the jumpers. Then you just continue to boot off the new HD.

Some BIOS systems allow you to boot either HD. You could have 2 operating systems if you want/need to. You'd have to install the other OS using the new computer on the secondary HD of course.
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Twitch1, if you are going to make a habit of repeating exactly what I've just said in different words a post or two after I've said it, you are REALLY GOING TO PISS ME OFF.

Just had the after thought about physically changing the jumpers which wasn't discussed. When we say make the other HD a slave many folks don't know how to do it and that changing the jumper on the HD is needed after they consult their HD literature.
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