Upgrading hard drives and OS issues

[Guest]

I am in a percarious spot and I hope someone can help. Here's the deal.....

I have two hard drives right now - a 20GB and a 40GB. I came across a 160GB
at a real bargain and want to dump the 20GB drive to maximize space and
speed. Sounds pretty simple, but I've come across an OS issue. The 20GB was
the original HD for the CPU and I must have been pretty sloppy with files
when I first added the 40GB. Long story short, my CPU won't boot with just
the 40GB drive in place. However, the profile/account that I use appears to
be housed on that 40GB drive.

My dilemma is to make sure I can boot and keep my main profile in tact
because starting over would be a nightmare. Is there a way that I can
install Windows XP so it boots from the 40 or 160 (I'm open to suggestions on
the best choice) and keep the profile that I know exists on the 40 gig drive?
XP will only load when I have the 20GB drive connected - but the profile
that I use is only available when the 40 is also connected. The 40GB drive
alone will not boot the computer at this time.

Ideally, I'd love to use the 160 as a library of media files and games while
the 40 is dedicated to system files.

 

[Jim Macklin]

Why not boot the computer from the XP CD into the recovery
console. Have the 160 GB drive installed and copy the 20 GB
drive (you'll need to format it, can do that with the
recovery console) to the 160 GB drive. Then reboot and do a
repair install on the 160 GB drive which needs to be
jumpered as Master.

Check on the procedures and commands you need so you can get
the job done.

The recovery console is accessed by selecting the "r" option
when the CD boots.

The reinstall option is accessed by simply pressing ENTER
when the CD boots.

You will need to have large disk support enabled in the BIOS
and be using at least SP1.

You might be better served to just copy the data you need,
such as settings, password and account names and just
starting over. This should be easier as long as you have
not been using encryption.

If you have been using encryption, unencrypt the
files/folders before you do the repair or reinstall. Save
your data to a CD or just leave it on the 40 GB drive, you
can copy it later.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



in message
|I am in a percarious spot and I hope someone can help.
Here's the deal.....
|
| I have two hard drives right now - a 20GB and a 40GB. I
came across a 160GB
| at a real bargain and want to dump the 20GB drive to
maximize space and
| speed. Sounds pretty simple, but I've come across an OS
issue. The 20GB was
| the original HD for the CPU and I must have been pretty
sloppy with files
| when I first added the 40GB. Long story short, my CPU
won't boot with just
| the 40GB drive in place. However, the profile/account
that I use appears to
| be housed on that 40GB drive.
|
| My dilemma is to make sure I can boot and keep my main
profile in tact
| because starting over would be a nightmare. Is there a
way that I can
| install Windows XP so it boots from the 40 or 160 (I'm
open to suggestions on
| the best choice) and keep the profile that I know exists
on the 40 gig drive?
| XP will only load when I have the 20GB drive connected -
but the profile
| that I use is only available when the 40 is also
connected. The 40GB drive
| alone will not boot the computer at this time.
|
| Ideally, I'd love to use the 160 as a library of media
files and games while
| the 40 is dedicated to system files.
|
|

 

[Guest]

Sounds like I'm going to use the 160 GB drive to warehouse everything from
the 20 GB drive, right? Basically, move everything from the 20 to the 160.
Format the 160, Then, when I take out the 20, put in the 40 to work with the
160, my profile should work just fine (as it does with the 20GB/40GB setup)
but now it'll be a 40/160 setup.

From what I gather, I'll start by having the 20GB and 160 GB drive in
together, with the xp cd. Boot it up and use the recovery console once the
drive is formatted. Can you confirm this?


I'm not sure if you answered this in your post but do you think I can have
my computer eventually boot from the 40GB drive and use it as a systems
drive, and let the 160 be a library for my media? Or is that going to be a
huge pain?

I will try what you suggest later today - Thanks!