How would I go about taking a harddrive on one system with windows on it and put it on another system and have it work? I have read somewhere that it is possible by editing some files, anyone know what I would have to do?

Windows is pretty plug-n-play happy, even for huge changes. I'd just go with it, but I'm no hardware wizz.

Well generally it is not plug and play when it comes to the chipset, from what I have seen. But also I thought the changes were minor, something like copying over one new file or something.

I have done this before due to motherboard failure on several occasions. The only problem I've run into is Windows Activation breaking, but a quick phone call (the first time I had to speak to an operator, but they put an automated system in place by the time I had to call again) takes care of that.

Okie dokie, I think I will try installing it on the other box then

I'm not sure that's a wise idea.

When you install Windows, Windows takes an exam of the existing hardware in your computer and generates a code with which it references frequently.
Essentially, it's an alphanumeric code (method of creating the code I never bothered to learn.)

Google it a lot before you try anything silly. :) Windows might not like the sudden change of hardware.
But then again, it -is- very plug n play compat.

It's your call.

It uses that survey of your hardware to create a profile of your computer which is used in Activation. If your computer differs too much from that profile, Activation is broken because Windows thinks it has been moved to a new computer, and you can call Microsoft up and get that taken care of in 5-10 minutes. :)

Ah, my reply was based on the non-activated Windows products. I always left my Windows XP boxes alone, except installing a DVD drive in one.