Changing cpu, switching to AMD, need to not format HDD

I had my CPU and MB drop dead on me so I plugged my HDD into another computer I have, which has an AMD CPU, my first computer had an Intel CPU, when I tried to boot Windows it would pass the screen where it says Windows XP and has the thing moving from left to right under it, and then it would restart.

A friend told me that this is on account of the MB drivers. Another friend ordered a new MB and CPU for me but I forgot to tell him I needed Intel and now I have an AMD CPU and a MB for it on the way (I can't cancel the order, it's a long story).

So now I'm in a bind. I can't format my HDD, because I don't have another HDD to move my data to, and even if I did I have too many things set up just the way I want them and it would simply take too much time that I don't have right now to set things up.

Is there anything I can do? Any way to get my computer to boot? I understand it's not possible to replace the drivers from safe mode, is that right? Could I delete the current drivers in safe mode so Win would boot without any drivers and therefore not restart itself?

EDIT: I should add that I currently have the HDD I need to boot hooked up to my other compouter, if that maters any.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a new mobo and new cpu is going to warrant a reinstall of windows.

New hard drives are cheap, I think you can get a 1tb for 50-100$. Reinstall windows on that, and then put your original hard drive in as slave. Or better yet, stick your original hard drive in an external enclosure.

kobaj said:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a new mobo and new cpu is going to warrant a reinstall of windows.

New hard drives are cheap, I think you can get a 1tb for 50-100$. Reinstall windows on that, and then put your original hard drive in as slave. Or better yet, stick your original hard drive in an external enclosure.

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That's terrible! It's more the way I have my programs and windows set up rather than the data (though I'd like to keep the data, too) that I'd like to conserve. So there's no way at all?

You could use true Image 2011 an make a backup image of the drive , and then restore it as a universal image. With that you just need the motherboard drivers in a folder and point the universal restore to that folder.

voyagerfan99 said:

You could use true Image 2011 an make a backup image of the drive , and then restore it as a universal image. With that you just need the motherboard drivers in a folder and point the universal restore to that folder.

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Could you explain a bit what you mean, I don't quite understand.

What is an universal image?

Is this sort of like emulating a CD or a DVD when you have an image of it, and this would work with my Windows because it wouldn't actually work on it's drivers so it wouldn't crash and I could replace the drivers and then simply replace my HDD conent with the image.

No, that's not what I mean.

You use True Image 2011 to create a backup image (to another drive). You then restore that backup image and choose to make it a universal restore, while directing it to a folder with the correct drivers for the motherboard.

If that was still confusing, have a look at this Acronis KB article.
http://kb.acronis.com/content/23561