Can I transfer files from my old HD to the new computer?

Of course you can programs will be harder.

Of course you can programs will be harder.

So how do I do it? Must the new com have the same OS as the old one ? I have windows xp in the old one.

If using Windows 7 there is a facility called Windows Easy Transfer which is pretty good at getting the files you need and setting up your new computer to the same standards as your old one. You can download the program to a thumb drive for the old computer and it is part of Windows 7. Just type the name in the start menu search field.

Believe a quick Google will provide better instructions than me. I have always copied old computer files to an external hard drive and then imported them on new computer after downloading all operating system updates. It also provides a list of programs that were on old computer and you can then install want you want from CD's or downloads.

M$ explains how to do XP to Win7 here. http://j.mp/9OuBdc

Personally I've found easier to do a clean install, copying my data beforehand via some external HDD. Easier to do if you have partitioned your data into other drives, always a good idea anyway. If you have Outlook files, need to search out the pst files and copy over.