Maximum PC

I have a PC I built with 32-bit Windows XP installed on 2x640GB in Raid 1. I have 2GB RAM (2x1GB DDR2) and my wife is noticing significant slowdown while photoshopping.

I want to upgrade to 8GB RAM and 64-bit Windows 7 on SSD. Ideally, I would like to end up with Win7 installed on the SSD and have all the existing files from 'My Documents' on the 2 HDDs (still using Raid 1).

The main question is what upgrade path I should take. All the documentation I can find is how to dual boot XP and Win7, which I don't want. I want the only Windows install to be 7 on the SSD, and the other 2 HDDs to only have the personal files from 'My Documents' and all the XP related program and system files removed.

I'm thinking I first need to disconnect the HDDs and install Win7 on the SSD, and then reconnect the HDDs after. However, if I do that, won't the MBR from the HDDs interfere with the Win7 MBR? Will Win7 let me install on the SSD while the HDDs are still connected? Every build I've done up to this point has been a new OS install. This is the first time I'm trying to salvage data from one install while using new and recycled hardware. I would appreciate any advice you can provide.

Moderators - if this belongs in the Windows Parlor section, please let me know.

When you unplug the old raid setup and install Win 7 on the SSD, don't for get to add the chipset driver and Raid driver in Win7 or it won't see the Raid config when you shut down and plug it back in. When you unplug the raid be sure to label where each data cable was unplugged and plug it back in the exact same headers. You should be able to access all your data on the old raid setup via the Windows Explorer as you would any drive. Delete the old windows system folders and keep everything else in My Documents and such.

Before you do any of the above I would burn anything you can't afford to loose to DVDs or buy a usb key.

Nasty