Connect old hard drive to computer question

My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power supply.

My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
drives (D&E).

Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?

"Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
news:13todmbhabsb525@corp.supernews.com...
> My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
> Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power
supply.
>
> My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
> drives (D&E).
>
> Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
> the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
> program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?


Yes, just make sure the jumper is in the same position

(slave, master or cable select)

philo wrote:

> "Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
> news:13todmbhabsb525@corp.supernews.com...
>
>>My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
>>Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power
>
> supply.
>
>>My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
>>drives (D&E).
>>
>>Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
>>the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
>>program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?
>
>
>
> Yes, just make sure the jumper is in the same position
>
> (slave, master or cable select)
>
>
I will. Thanks so much.

"Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
news:13tog64aisqgv89@corp.supernews.com...
> philo wrote:
>
> > "Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
> > news:13todmbhabsb525@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> >>My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
> >>Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power
> >
> > supply.
> >
> >>My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
> >>drives (D&E).
> >>
> >>Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
> >>the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
> >>program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?
> >
> >
> >
> > Yes, just make sure the jumper is in the same position
> >
> > (slave, master or cable select)
> >
> >
> I will. Thanks so much.


Ok

BTW: though you can copy your data over to the new drive.
you will need the setup file for your software.

Most apps will not work by simply copying over
as there are usually many needed registry entries

Salad wrote:
> My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
> Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power
> supply.
>
> My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
> drives (D&E).
>
> Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
> the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
> program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?


Depends on the application. If it doesn't use an installer it just might
work.

philo wrote:

> "Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
> news:13tog64aisqgv89@corp.supernews.com...
>
>>philo wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Salad" <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in message
>>>news:13todmbhabsb525@corp.supernews.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>>My previous computer has a program I need from its hard drive.
>>>>Unfortunately, that computer won't turn on...most likely a bad power
>>>
>>>supply.
>>>
>>>
>>>>My current computer is a Dell Dimension bought in 2004. It has 2 DVD
>>>>drives (D&E).
>>>>
>>>>Can I simply unplug the E: DVD drive and hook up the old hard disk from
>>>>the older computer and see if I can read the hard disk and get the old
>>>>program file? Or are there other things I need to do first beforehand?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Yes, just make sure the jumper is in the same position
>>>
>>>(slave, master or cable select)
>>>
>>>
>>
>>I will. Thanks so much.
>
>
>
> Ok
>
> BTW: though you can copy your data over to the new drive.
> you will need the setup file for your software.
>
> Most apps will not work by simply copying over
> as there are usually many needed registry entries
>
>
It was interesting. I got the hard disk installed after setting the
jumpers correctly, fired up the computer, then worried because the old
hard drive's OS was NT4.0.

This computer recognized the drive. Did a couple of searches in
Explorer and found the file I wanted, then disconnected the hard drive.

Worked like a champ.