Seperate XP Install on a 2nd HD

[mixxi shunt]

Is it possible to istall a 2nd HD with a seperate install of XP? I am trying to avoid having to save old data to CD from old HD but effectively have a clean XP instal on the 2nd HD. I dont need to know how just yet, just whever it is possible with no conflicts. I know I will need two seperate copies of XP (?)

[mjdodd]

I presume yes it is! Normally the master boot record (on the primary hard disk)tells windows at boot up where to find the operating system.I doubt if you can add a second direction for another windows onto the microsoft MBR (master boot record) However there are a number of other types of boot menu programs that will do the job and allow you to boot different operating system (eg GRUB which does a linux / windows boot) but you may have to buy such a boot menu program.
M

[gerbil]

Yes, it is possible. You could simply clone the old installation, that is, the drive it resides upon, to your new hdd, but that would take across all the clutter of old files etc. Advantage is.. no need to repeat updates. Other option is to freshly install XP to your new drive and update it... it REQUIRES disconnecting the old hdd while you install and first start the new OS but afterward it is no problem to run the new OS [it will give itself the C: letter as homedrive] with the old hdd connected [it will, for itself, reassign the drive letter of the old C: drive]. You would have to validate the new XP using your old licence which in turn would be invalidated. Copy across files you want.
Cloning means no need for validation because it's the same installation, just moved, and you can run the two independently [not a lot of point to doing that, though].
I find that by judiciously using a few softwares that an XP installation will run cleanly indefinitely... CCleaner, Mydefrag and Pagedefrag. Put files that change often onto a seperate drive [all temp inet files/folders for all browsers, system temp folders, download locations etc.