The Repair Installation should go with no problems.

Back-up important data just in case.
Then on the slight chance there are problems, you are prepared.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"rampage522" <rampage522@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:12DB307B-ED71-490E-8305-9A96226298C6@microsoft.com...
>I have a system running an OEM version of XP Pro (SP2). I am purchasing a
> new barebones computer system (motherboard, processor, case) and would
> like
> to take my existing hard drive and install in the new system.
>
> I also have purchased a retail copy of XP Pro for the new system, since I
> know (or believe) the OEM copy won't work on the new hardware.
>
> Is it possible to perhaps perform an "in-place upgrade" on the new system
> using the old hard drive and retail XP without losing all my existing
> data?
> If this is possible, is it problematic? This is going to be a new
> processor,
> chipset, motherboard, BIOS, etc. I would like to avoid reinstalling all
> the
> applications if I could, but if installing XP on top of itself (retail
> over
> OEM) is going to cause headaches, I'll just do a clean install.
>
> Thanks for any advice. I know a clean install is always best, for what
> it's
> worth.