Question : can I use my hard drive with XP and data on it with a system with replaced motherboard ?

Hi Everyone;

       Recently, I had to replace a motherboard on my main pc with a different motherboard.  The new motherboard is made by MSI just like the defective one, but, unlike the defective one, this new board has a PCI-E slot on it.  Now that the pc does POST and display BIOS information, I am hoping I can simply reinstall my IDE devices which brings me to a concern regarding the hard drive.  Even though this is a new motherboard, can I still simply connect my old hard drive with XP, programs, and end user files on it so that it will autoload drivers for the new motherboard components?  Or, will I need to backup my end user files and wipe & reload the OS on the HDD because of having a new motherboard?  My hnuches tell me I will need to wipe and reload the HDD because of so many drivers which will need to be loaded for this new motherboard.

         Any shared input to this question will be deeply appreciated.

         Thank you.

         George

         
     

Answer : can I use my hard drive with XP and data on it with a system with replaced motherboard ?

George  ==>  connect the drive via a USB bridge device to another system and see what it "sees"

If you don't have one, this is an excellent one:   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002&cm_re=vantec_USB_to_SATA-_-12-232-002-_-Product