Transfer HD question

Hoping someone can help.

My mobo has died and I am purchasing a new barebones system and new sata HD.

However, I want to take an old sata HD which is currently in my failed PC so that I can recover the data. I understand the issue relating to operating system installs so I intend to put a fresh copy of xp on the new drive to get the new machine up and running.

What I need to know, is if I can than add the old sata drive as a 2nd drive in the new machine, have it auto detect and then have access to the old data. Obviously I would need to boot from the new drive. If I simply install and connect to the mobo will all this happen automatically?

Is this all possible and is there anything I need to know?

Thanks

Install only your new hard drive and install windows. Once it is up and running you will then install your old hard drive. Windows should pick it up without problems. You will then have access to your old data. Take note you may have to take ownership of your old "My Documents" folder to gain access to it.