changing harddrives

[noone]

I have two hardrives one is 10gb the other is 40GB. I bought the 40GB and
made it the slave to store files on. The older smaller harddrive is
"chirping" so I want to make the larger newer hardrive the master. If I
install windowsXP and the larger harddrive will I lose all my data on it?

 

[Guest]

I have two hardrives one is 10gb the other is 40GB. I bought the 40GB and
made it the slave to store files on. The older smaller harddrive is
"chirping" so I want to make the larger newer hardrive the master. If I
install windowsXP and the larger harddrive will I lose all my data on it?

Thats a good question. I think that you might be able to make new paration
on your 40GB. The install XP to that paration, thus keeping your files intact
on the other paration. However, im not sure how well XP runs when its
parationed like that, you need to make sure it would work ok.

 

[John]

I have two hardrives one is 10gb the other is 40GB. I bought the 40GB and
made it the slave to store files on. The older smaller harddrive is
"chirping" so I want to make the larger newer hardrive the master. If I
install windowsXP and the larger harddrive will I lose all my data on it?

Only if you reformat it or it doesn't have enough space to install XP.
If the file system isn't to your liking (and assuming you have enough
space) make a new partition on the 2nd half of the drive. Install XP
there or move your data to the new partition and then reformat and
install XP to the 2nd partition. But before you do the actual XP install
remove the defective old drive or your boot files may end up there
instead of on the good drive. When removing the old drive it would be a
good idea to connect it as the primary master. Just be sure you get the
partitions and drives setup *before* installing.

John