Adding 2nd Internal Harddrive

[Charliec]

I'm thinking of adding a second internal harddrive to my desktop
system. Currently, I have one harddrive divided into 3 partitions (C,
D, E). I have an external harddrive (F). I would like to add the 2nd
internal harddrive and partition it into 2 partitions and move the D &
E drives to it, and reassign all the space on the original HD to just
the C drive.

What would be the best, safest and "less complicated" approach to do
that and maintain the drive lettering (C, D & E). Also, would I have
to reinstall all programs that are on the D & E drives for proper
linkage?

Also, while we're at it, my external harddrive is 80GB. I have a few
programs on it, but mainly use it to back all folders/files on my
C,D,E drives. The space on it is fairly tight, so I am also thinking
of replacing it with a bit larger drive. The drive is USB 2.0
connected. What would be the best way to simply replace it and retain
the drive letter F. I would also have to transfer all folders/files
on the current external drive to the new one.

Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks
Charliec
******************************************************
Charliec

 

[JS]

You will need a third party software app like Partition Magic
to consolidate your D: and E: partitions after you move all the
folders and file from the original drive to the new drive.
I would install Partition Magic or whatever you decide to use
to the C: partition as you will be jockeying the drive letters/partitions
around until you have things the way you want.

As long as the second drive partition letters end up as D: and E: your
apps should work just fine.

I would also for safeties sake create an Image backup of your C: partition
which I assume is where you have Windows installed. Create the image file
and store it on the second drive. This way if something goes wrong when
you are consolidating the D: and E: partitions you have a way to restore
Windows.

Partition Magic:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/partitionmagic
There may be a freeware partition tool but I can't recommend any.

Image Backup Software:
Norton Ghost
(has a 30 day trial but you can not create a Bootable Restore CD AFAK)
http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost14

True Image (has a 15 day trial version available, it appears that the
trail version can create a Restore CD, but I have not verified this yet)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Also copying disk to disk with Norton Ghost
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...hot&prod=Norton+Ghost&ver=10.0&csm=no&seg=hho


JS

 

[Charliec]

Thanks JS,

I already have True Image 11 and also a version of Partition Magic,
but it's probably not the current version.

Your outline looks good and simple, so I will study it and map out a
potential action plan, step by step, to get there and then see how I
want to proceed.

If any other thoughts/ideas pop into your head, feel free to pass them
on

Thanks
Charliec

You will need a third party software app like Partition Magic
to consolidate your D: and E: partitions after you move all the
folders and file from the original drive to the new drive.
I would install Partition Magic or whatever you decide to use
to the C: partition as you will be jockeying the drive letters/partitions
around until you have things the way you want.

As long as the second drive partition letters end up as D: and E: your
apps should work just fine.

I would also for safeties sake create an Image backup of your C: partition
which I assume is where you have Windows installed. Create the image file
and store it on the second drive. This way if something goes wrong when
you are consolidating the D: and E: partitions you have a way to restore
Windows.

Partition Magic:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/partitionmagic
There may be a freeware partition tool but I can't recommend any.

Image Backup Software:
Norton Ghost
(has a 30 day trial but you can not create a Bootable Restore CD AFAK)
http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost14

True Image (has a 15 day trial version available, it appears that the
trail version can create a Restore CD, but I have not verified this yet)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Also copying disk to disk with Norton Ghost
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...hot&prod=Norton+Ghost&ver=10.0&csm=no&seg=hho


JS

******************************************************
Charliec

 

[JS]

Documenting your steps is a good idea.

If you post those steps here
(or in a new post if too many days go by before your ready)
chances are someone including myself should be able to
provide some useful feedback.

JS
www.pagestart.com

 

[Charliec]

Great, JS

I'm going to go slow, cause I don't want to corrupt anything. One
step at a time. I think I want to start with the external drive (F)
replacement to increase the size which will allow me to do Image
backups of the C drive and others as necessary. Once I have that
completed, I will then approach the issues of installing an additional
internal harddrive and making all those transfers.

I will probably be back here a number of times "crying in my milk",
but I'm going to give it a shot - (at a slow pace).

Thanks
Charliec

Documenting your steps is a good idea.

If you post those steps here
(or in a new post if too many days go by before your ready)
chances are someone including myself should be able to
provide some useful feedback.

JS
www.pagestart.com

******************************************************
Charliec

 

[JS]

I would most likely not have the external drive connected
at least during part of during this operation.

Also I would create unique 'Label' names for each drive partition so there
are no accidents.
(Example: C: Label as WINXP, D: Label as OLD_D, E: as OLD_E)

The new drive after you have formatted it should
have labels like: NEW_D, NEW_E.

Remember labels are independent of drive partition letters an
don't effect programs or application you have installed so you can
always change the labels after you have completed everything.
Good label names make it easier to identify which partition
you are dealing with.

JS
www.pagestart.com

 

[Bill in Co.]

Thanks JS,

I already have True Image 11 and also a version of Partition Magic,
but it's probably not the current version.

I have and use version 8 of PM and it seems to work fine. Version 7 is
probably more limited, especially for LARGE partition work. But if that's
not an issue, maybe version 7 would work, too.

 

[Charliec]

Ok, thanks

I would most likely not have the external drive connected
at least during part of during this operation.

Also I would create unique 'Label' names for each drive partition so there
are no accidents.
(Example: C: Label as WINXP, D: Label as OLD_D, E: as OLD_E)

The new drive after you have formatted it should
have labels like: NEW_D, NEW_E.

Remember labels are independent of drive partition letters an
don't effect programs or application you have installed so you can
always change the labels after you have completed everything.
Good label names make it easier to identify which partition
you are dealing with.

JS
www.pagestart.com

******************************************************
Charliec

 

[Eric Goldberg]

Well, what you could do is shost your drives using norton ghost which
creates an image file of your hardrive. After creating the ghosts use the xp
cd and create the partitions you want for your new hardrive. Then ghost the
info to the new hardrives. Norton ghost is a great software to use. I
recommend it to be used because even if drive c has a virus and you ghosted
the drive previously, you do not need to reinstall windows.

Regards,
Eric

 

[Lil' Dave]

After copying and resizing the D: and E: partitions, leave the original
partitions be and hide them with PM. When you're satisfied all is working
well, with the new partitions, you can delete the old ones, and resize the
C: partition.

Unless you're tight for space, you should always leave application
installation at its default location.