Hey, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but im new here. I looked through the Faqs, but my QUESTION seems to specific.

I'm building a new computer from scratch. Currently on my old computer (the one im on), i have 2 hard drives. One of them (80gbs) contains xp, and the other (250gbs) contains all my movies, music, documents, and much more. I recently bought another 250gb hard drive, but it is still in the box. I was wondering if i installed xp on the hard drive thats still in the box, and i move the hard drive that does not contain xp on my old computer(250gbs) to my new computer, will the hard drive(old 250gbs) have everything ereased?

My new computer will contain:
-MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

-EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

-Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX 12V V2.01 Power Supply

-Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor

-CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4

-dvd BURNER, dvd rom, and floppy, COOLER master casealso, i was advised that when i first installed the old 250gb, i formatted it, as you do with all hard drives when u install (with a cd). now there is no reason to format it again(and erease everything) because a hard drive that is formatted is just a plug and play thing. Remember, im not installing xp to this hard drive, so their is no reason anythign should be ereased. xp is going to the new hard drive that will be formatted.I'm on my emachine right now but

that is exactly the same rig I just built (almost) real nice choice on your mobo you'll love it!!!
Honestly, I suck on hard drives, wait a few for some better minds to help you there, i don't think you would lose anything but I'm not real sure* you formatted it already so I'm guessing you'll be fine ?

*mine*
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
C2D E6600 < SMOKIN*
MSI 8800gts
g-skill 2x 1 gig PC6400 HQ
etc.....Yes, I formatted it when i first installed it. You do not usually reformat a hard drive unless you want to start from scratch, am i right? I do not believe anything will be ereased, but i just want to make sure..

As for the motherboard and the other parts, i just recieved them today. I am currently on an HP, so this will be a BIG step up for me.I think you'll be just fine (formatted in NTSF i hope not fat 32)

If you get STUCK on the build, feel free to email me anytime and good luck, If its your 1st build , I'm sorry but you'll be hooked for life.. Yes, it says File System: NTFS. Just out of curiosity, whats wrong with formatting in fat32? And also, since the hard drive is formatted, there is no reason it should not be read on my new build.

Yes, this is my first build. I have a couple friends who have built their computers coming over. I can't wait! I'm going from an integrated video card to an 8800gts. Thanks, i will email you if i have any questions about the build.

So i should be alright with the hard drives?NTFS is for OS's after Windows ME (newer versions) do a google search on both if you want to learn the nuts & bolts/ differences....

that MSI sli platinum is a very stable and reliable board, its almost idiot proof

I had a world of trouble with mine but I did it myself and had some stupid snaggs,

make sure you keep your cords and space inside the case pretty tight and clean, you need to have real nice airflow inside with these 8800gts , they do get pretty darn warm but good airflow and fans will do the trick ~

I have the zalman 9500/ artic 5 on mine and numerous case fans* that cpu will rarely get over 30* centigrade should be around 24-26


YES on the hard drives Thanks for the tips, well my cooler master centurion 534 + comes with 3 120x120x25mm fans. I'm not going to really stress or overclock my computer, so I think I'll be alright. I just hope everything I got works the first time (meaning no DOAs).