[jeffreyr]

I don't have experience with this but, if you move your hard drive to a computer with a different motherboard, I don't think it would work.

In any event, it would be best to make a backup of important files, installers, mail, bookmarks onto CD.

Also, make an inventory of software you don't have installers for so you can get them from the internet.

Then wipe the drive and install the new OS on it in the new computer.

Update any hardware drivers you need.

Finally, re-install all software and the files from CD.

I might add that simply moving the hard drive to a new computer with a new operating system would yield even more problems.

It is best to start fresh. Your computer will perform better, will be less likely to have problems and if you do have some, you will be able to troubleshoot them much more easily.

You also get the added benefit of gaining experience installing your software and hardware.

After installing everything, run disk scan, disk clean-up and defragment your drive. You may also run a virus scanner.

Update your OS and any software to the latest versions beforehand.