ok i have two pc's, one has a gigabyte ga-k8ns ultra motherboard and the other has a gigabyte ga-k8n pro sli motherboard. i want to copy all the data from one hdd onto another hdd and then use it as the boot drive in my second pc. the only problem i have is that when i put the drive in the second pc the system wont boot(i figure it is because the bios is different). the reason i try this is i dont want to have to install everything all over again and i will lose all my save games. how can i get the hdd to work in the new pc after doing a data copy off the hdd in the old pc. or is there a way i can take the hdd out of my old system and get it to boot in my new system.?

pc-1
ga-k8ns ultra
amd 4000
bfg 7800 os
seagate 320 gb hdd sata
2 gb corsair pc3200 ddr ram
liteon dvd rom drive
soundblaster audigy

pc-2
ga-k8n pro sli
amd 4000
bfg 8800 gt
seagate 320 gb hdd sata
2 gb supertalent pc3200 ddr ram
liteon dvd rom drive
soundblaster audigy

i would appreciate any words of wisdom as this issue has got me stumped

If this is WinXP and you have an installation CD you can do a repair installation (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) to re-initialize the hardware on the new board and that should leave all your programs and data intact.

Another option which sometimes works (have never tried it myself) is to remove all of the hardware from Device Manager in the old PC. Then move the drive into the new PC, and let Windows recognize all of the new hardware.

Another option which sometimes works (have never tried it myself) is to remove all of the hardware from Device Manager in the old PC. Then move the drive into the new PC, and let Windows recognize all of the new hardware.

Hmm, this might not work. I've seen it not work. When windows installs for the first time it detects the hardware as first step, and probably for more the reason of anti-proliferation of illegal copies of windows it might just be programmed not to work. Komski's idea better--does it work?

ok thanks for the response as i will try repairing xp first and hopefully that will solve the issue. the other option sounds a little risky so i will hold off and see what xp repair does, i will post the results when complete, thanks and any other ideas always welcome.