• I have done this exact thing and found it worked much more easily than expected.

    1. backup db's, including master - just in case

    2. down server remove drives

    3. Hookup drives to new box, and if the drive designation is the same as it was before then continue, else backup, detach and reattach as earlier messages suggested (see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;224071).

    4. install sql on new box - if you point the default directory to the old disks, it will overwrite Master so ensure you have a backup of it in a secure spot.

    5. restore master (sql servers must be same versions, build ... this can be tricky see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B264474 )

    If all drive designations are the same as they were on the old box, restoring master will find the db's in the same location and will add them to the server.

    6. restore model (if desired)

    7. restore msdb (if desired)