i have a 160gb and a 320gb HDD. the 160gb (the slower one) hasnt been reformatted in about 3-4 years... its had the same windows installation and its getting slower and slower. the 320gb one is much newer (couple of months) and faster (SATA). i have one *censored* of a lot of files on my pc (250 installed programs) so reformatting will be a huge task.
is it worth putting some of my media from the 320gb one onto the slower 160gb and then installing vista onto the 320gb?
i'd like a guide on the simplest and easiest way to do it (like an order of when to WIPE the drive etc.)

thanksWe might be able to solve your slowing-down issue if you're interested.

As for a fast way to transfer files, I would suggest using a large external device like a flash drive or portable hard drive. ANOTHER option is you could create a network folder.problem with network is... NOONE can see my computer and i CANT see anyone else... apart from by IP which doesnt work properly. windows vista bugs - there arent too many, they are just a pain in the backside to solve :|
i have most of my important installations on a separate partition on my 320gb drive. if i install vista again onto that partition could i boot from it and have all the same settings? and then possibly uninstall it from my other drive?I'm not exactly sure what you mean but I know that if you install an Operating System over another one it will format the previous one, getting rid of all trace of it.
You can dual boot but you won't be able to access the other program in Vista.i dont mind removing the old OS... i could backup most of whats on there (docs etc.) so if i just install it on the other drive it would remove the old OS but not work with any programs?
do u have any ideas on what i should do then?If you put a new OS on the Hard Drive, it will remove everything. If you copy the programs onto a flash drive and then copy them to the new installed OS, most of them will not work because they would have to be installed. files and downloads would be ok though yes?
windows should seriously make it easier to move things without re installing etc. Yes, all your files will be safe as long as you back them up somewhere other than the hard drive you are reformattinglol... so if i install it on my 320gb drive i can leave all my files on the 160gb which currently has vista on it? or possibly on a different partition on the same HDD?Heh, this is getting confusing...

If you reinstall Windows on Hard Drive A, it will remove everything.
If you copy program files to B and then copy it back to A after the install of Windows, it will not work.

Is this what you are asking?now im confused lol
you wouldnt believe i managed to build a pc for myself lol.
if i REINSTALL in the same location, EVERYTHING on Hard Drive A is lost? true or false?
i know copying installations doesnt work (i've tried it before )
however, i plan to install windows in a different location on my pc. i have one *censored* of a lot of media (200gb+) on a separate partition on the same HD. this wouldnt be EFFECTED by the install? Quote

if i REINSTALL in the same location, EVERYTHING on Hard Drive A is lost? true or false?

however, i plan to install windows in a different location on my pc. i have one *censored* of a lot of media (200gb+) on a separate partition on the same HD. this wouldnt be effected by the install?

know that if you install an Operating System over another one it will format the previous one, getting rid of all trace of it.

You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows.