Replacing HD, WinXP fresh install?

I'm considering about replacing my HD with bigger unit.

How about installing WinXP after that?
The pre-installed XP is on the original HD.
Can I use the recovery discs for fresh install on the new HD? I'm afraid that recovery install is only possible for the original HD, which must have "original" data. I.e. if I wipe my old HD totally, am I able to do fresh install even to that original disk? My point is that do I need a "real" XP installation CD if I replace my HD?

I think that you should get original WinXP install CD when you buy computer, not just those "recovery" discs...

 

The Asus recovery CDs are not sensitive to the HDD type. The CDs contain an image of Windows XP installed on your model of computer. The recovery partition contains the same images.

An alternative is to buy an external 2.5" HDD enclosure and cloning software such as Acronis Migrate Easy. Put the new HDD in the enclosure, plug in, run the cloning software; select your options and then leave the software to run. When it has finished you put the new HDD into your computer and you are ready to go, with all your applications installed. I recommend this option if you are comfortable with your current Windows and software installation. You can then use the old HDD in the enclosure as backup.

John

 

Acronis is good stuff. True Image Works good as well. You can make an image of the old hard drive and put it on the new one. Takes about five minutes.

 

i also Acronis True Image, it is very good to create the image. In my laptop's HD, i created 2 partitions, Windows and applications are put in 1st partiton, image and data are put in 2nd partition.

 

So I can't use recovery disk or any image back up from the old hard drive?

 

Those recovery discs will work with any HD you shove into the unit. It's still considered a fresh install, and all your hardware should work well with the recovery- that is if you didnt change them out as well. If it's the HD that is the only change, then all will work fine.

 

i helped my friend to install a flesh windows, his laptop also comes with a recovery cd, but his doesn't want to use it, just use another Windows copy to install. After all the installation of windows and drivers, anything work great.
A recovery discs can back to the original windows and package, the sames as when a new laptop is purchasing what the Windows have......

 

You can try this link.

http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_Install/Step1.htm

It's applied to IBM ThinkPad, but I think you can try. I've tried with HP and Compaq, it worked for me. Also, you don't need to worry about Drivers folder. The most important folder is I386. Good luck.