Does the 300GB segate harddisk work on Dell Poweredge 400sc?

[cfman]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for many of your expert suggestions and excellent advice(please
refer to my previous posts and your kind replies).

Just before I start, I have a question about the 300GB segate harddisk, will
it work on Dell Poweredge 400sc, which is a PC bought a few years ago and I
think it's quite old?

I am currently installing a USB converter on it, so I can use it as an
external drive. I attach my plan of attack below:

I haven't started yet. I guess I will be able to format it when using it via
USB as external drive.

But then later I will need to use it to replace the current primary drive,
and serve as new C drive, and then reboot,

Will it have any troubles, according to my plan below?

Thanks a lot!

------------------------------------------

JCO and everybody,

Bad news! I've just looked at my partitions, C(OS) and D(Program Files) are
unfornately on the same harddrive. Even if I combine them into a new C
partition, it doesn't gain me anything, because both of these two partitions
are currently fully loaded. An estimate of the free space after combining is
about 50MB out of a total space of approximately 38GB.

Originally, I planned that if C, E, F are on the same harddisk, I can remove
the data files on E and F, so after combining the partitions, all the 38GB
will be for OS, so it will have a lot free space.

Now, since C and D are on the same harddisk, I cannot remove those program
files. So there is no gain.

Now I am planning to do the following:

1. Attach my new 300GB harddisk as a USB external drive to the PC;
2. Create three partition on 300GB harddisk, call them C1, D1, E1, for OS,
Program Files and Data, respectively(Please note that I have to keep the
Program Files on D, since otherwise I will screw up many applications). I am
thinking of making C1 to be 30GB (vs. the original 11GB), D1 to be 70GB(vs.
the original 27GB), and allocating the remaining space to E1 (for data);
3. Duplicate the content on C precisely and exactly onto C1;
4. Duplicate the content on D precisely and exactly onto D1;
5. Without rebooting, change the letter of C to be C2, and change the letter
of C1 to C, hence finish the swap;
6. Without rebooting, change the letter of D to be D2, and change the letter
of D1 to D, hence finish the swap;
7. Shutdown the PC. Remove that harddisk(of C and D) physically, and use the
300GB harddisk as a replacement of that very harddisk;
8. Reboot back. (Since I made exact copy of C and D partitions onto the
300GB harddisk, I should be able to successfully reboot the system).
9. The remaining are just housekeep task. I am done with joys, not with
tears!

Are the above procedures well-thought and fail-proof?

I am not sure about steps 3 and 4: C and C1 have different sizes, which
software will allow me to do an exact duplicate for partitions with
different sizes? Without having used PM, Ghost,Acronis, etc. before, I am a
little bit hesitant.

Could the experts here confirm my plan and so I will be able to jump-start?

Thanks a lot and have a great weekend!

 

[sandy58]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for many of your expert suggestions and excellent advice(please
refer to my previous posts and your kind replies).

Just before I start, I have a question about the 300GB segate harddisk, will
it work on Dell Poweredge 400sc, which is a PC bought a few years ago and I
think it's quite old?

I am currently installing a USB converter on it, so I can use it as an
external drive. I attach my plan of attack below:

I haven't started yet. I guess I will be able to format it when using it via
USB as external drive.

But then later I will need to use it to replace the current primary drive,
and serve as new C drive, and then reboot,

Will it have any troubles, according to my plan below?

Thanks a lot!

------------------------------------------

JCO and everybody,

Bad news! I've just looked at my partitions, C(OS) and D(Program Files) are
unfornately on the same harddrive. Even if I combine them into a new C
partition, it doesn't gain me anything, because both of these two partitions
are currently fully loaded. An estimate of the free space after combining is
about 50MB out of a total space of approximately 38GB.

Originally, I planned that if C, E, F are on the same harddisk, I can remove
the data files on E and F, so after combining the partitions, all the 38GB
will be for OS, so it will have a lot free space.

Now, since C and D are on the same harddisk, I cannot remove those program
files. So there is no gain.

Now I am planning to do the following:

1. Attach my new 300GB harddisk as a USB external drive to the PC;
2. Create three partition on 300GB harddisk, call them C1, D1, E1, for OS,
Program Files and Data, respectively(Please note that I have to keep the
Program Files on D, since otherwise I will screw up many applications). I am
thinking of making C1 to be 30GB (vs. the original 11GB), D1 to be 70GB(vs.
the original 27GB), and allocating the remaining space to E1 (for data);
3. Duplicate the content on C precisely and exactly onto C1;
4. Duplicate the content on D precisely and exactly onto D1;
5. Without rebooting, change the letter of C to be C2, and change the letter
of C1 to C, hence finish the swap;
6. Without rebooting, change the letter of D to be D2, and change the letter
of D1 to D, hence finish the swap;
7. Shutdown the PC. Remove that harddisk(of C and D) physically, and use the
300GB harddisk as a replacement of that very harddisk;
8. Reboot back. (Since I made exact copy of C and D partitions onto the
300GB harddisk, I should be able to successfully reboot the system).
9. The remaining are just housekeep task. I am done with joys, not with
tears!

Are the above procedures well-thought and fail-proof?

I am not sure about steps 3 and 4: C and C1 have different sizes, which
software will allow me to do an exact duplicate for partitions with
different sizes? Without having used PM, Ghost,Acronis, etc. before, I am a
little bit hesitant.

Could the experts here confirm my plan and so I will be able to jump-start?

Thanks a lot and have a great weekend!

I have never used Ghost but Acronis is quite easy to use. If you have
any concern about "both partitions on the one hdd" Acronis treats a
partition as a separate entity (ie.as Drive c I have "lifted" my "c"
partition and placed it in my external hdd & returned it with no
problems at all. The one thing I have not yet managed (if it IS at all
possible with Acronis) it to move selected folders or files. So far I
have only managed complete drives. About the size of your partitons,
as long as they are big enough to accept the "incoming" load you will
be OK.
Good luck.

 

[Ron Sommer]

I haven't followed all of your threads.
I have a few questions for you.

Does you Bios recognize the 300 GB drive as 300 GB?
Does the computer have USB 2?

Forget the USB enclosure.
I doubt that your USB is USB 2.
USB enclosures do not work accurately enough to do what you want to do.
A USB attached drive cannot boot, so you will have to put the drive in the
computer anyway.

Connect the 300 GB drive to your computer using the CD cable.
See if the Bios recognizes the full size.
If your Bios does not show the full size, you have to buy a card.

1. is not going to work.
2. won't work because only letters can be used for drive letters.
You can't have C1, etc.

The computer will not boot from the 300GB because copying partitions does
not copy the Master Boot Record.

See if the Bios recognizes the drive.
Remove the drive not containing C and D.
After it does, copy C to the 300 GB drive.
<pause>

Why don't you use disk cloning software to move the C drive to the 300 GB
drive?
--
Ronald Sommer

: Hi all,
:
: Thanks a lot for many of your expert suggestions and excellent
advice(please
: refer to my previous posts and your kind replies).
:
: Just before I start, I have a question about the 300GB segate harddisk,
will
: it work on Dell Poweredge 400sc, which is a PC bought a few years ago and
I
: think it's quite old?
:
: I am currently installing a USB converter on it, so I can use it as an
: external drive. I attach my plan of attack below:
:
: I haven't started yet. I guess I will be able to format it when using it
via
: USB as external drive.
:
: But then later I will need to use it to replace the current primary drive,
: and serve as new C drive, and then reboot,
:
: Will it have any troubles, according to my plan below?
:
: Thanks a lot!
:
: ------------------------------------------
:
: JCO and everybody,
:
: Bad news! I've just looked at my partitions, C(OS) and D(Program Files)
are
: unfornately on the same harddrive. Even if I combine them into a new C
: partition, it doesn't gain me anything, because both of these two
partitions
: are currently fully loaded. An estimate of the free space after combining
is
: about 50MB out of a total space of approximately 38GB.
:
: Originally, I planned that if C, E, F are on the same harddisk, I can
remove
: the data files on E and F, so after combining the partitions, all the 38GB
: will be for OS, so it will have a lot free space.
:
: Now, since C and D are on the same harddisk, I cannot remove those program
: files. So there is no gain.
:
: Now I am planning to do the following:
:
: 1. Attach my new 300GB harddisk as a USB external drive to the PC;
: 2. Create three partition on 300GB harddisk, call them C1, D1, E1, for OS,
: Program Files and Data, respectively(Please note that I have to keep the
: Program Files on D, since otherwise I will screw up many applications). I
am
: thinking of making C1 to be 30GB (vs. the original 11GB), D1 to be
70GB(vs.
: the original 27GB), and allocating the remaining space to E1 (for data);
: 3. Duplicate the content on C precisely and exactly onto C1;
: 4. Duplicate the content on D precisely and exactly onto D1;
: 5. Without rebooting, change the letter of C to be C2, and change the
letter
: of C1 to C, hence finish the swap;
: 6. Without rebooting, change the letter of D to be D2, and change the
letter
: of D1 to D, hence finish the swap;
: 7. Shutdown the PC. Remove that harddisk(of C and D) physically, and use
the
: 300GB harddisk as a replacement of that very harddisk;
: 8. Reboot back. (Since I made exact copy of C and D partitions onto the
: 300GB harddisk, I should be able to successfully reboot the system).
: 9. The remaining are just housekeep task. I am done with joys, not with
: tears!
:
: Are the above procedures well-thought and fail-proof?
:
: I am not sure about steps 3 and 4: C and C1 have different sizes, which
: software will allow me to do an exact duplicate for partitions with
: different sizes? Without having used PM, Ghost,Acronis, etc. before, I am
a
: little bit hesitant.
:
: Could the experts here confirm my plan and so I will be able to
jump-start?
:
: Thanks a lot and have a great weekend!
:
:
:
:
:

 

[Ron Sommer]

Here are two ways of copying C:
Copy C, then work on the other partitions.
--
Ronald Sommer

What I use is BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35 shareware -
30 day full functional trial)

Download, to its own folder, extract from the zip, run the bootitng to
make a boot floppy.

With the new drive plugged in as slave/secondary, boot the floppy,
Cancel Install, entering maintenance, then click on Partition work.
Highlight your C:,Copy, then on left select the new drive (HD1),
highlight the Free Space in it, and Paste.

You might then consider a resize up a bit. Or leave some free space so
as later to make a new separate partition it

Now click on 'View MBR' and in it highlight the entry for this new C
partition and click the 'Set Active' Click 'Write Standard MBR' and
Apply.

Close out, swap the disks to make the new one the one that boots, and
reboot into XP.

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (e-mail address removed)8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)

::::
1) Download BING from www.bootitng.com
2) Make BING bootable CDR and test it (CMOS boot CD 1st)
3) If XP < SP1 and new HD > 137G, you MUST SP2 or SP1!
4) Unplug power, connect new empty HD to the system
5) Boot BING, cancel the first "install" prompt, go Partition Maint
6) Copy partition from old HD to new one
7) Apply MBR (not EMBR!) to new HD
8) Unplug power, remove old HD
9) Set new HD where old one was, and test-boot

Tips:
- don't boot new HD with old one present
- don't install XP with remov disks, USB sticks, extra HD present
- XP MUST be at least SP1, pref SP2, for HD > 137G


:I haven't followed all of your threads.
: I have a few questions for you.
:
: Does you Bios recognize the 300 GB drive as 300 GB?
: Does the computer have USB 2?
:
: Forget the USB enclosure.
: I doubt that your USB is USB 2.
: USB enclosures do not work accurately enough to do what you want to do.
: A USB attached drive cannot boot, so you will have to put the drive in the
: computer anyway.
:
: Connect the 300 GB drive to your computer using the CD cable.
: See if the Bios recognizes the full size.
: If your Bios does not show the full size, you have to buy a card.
:
: 1. is not going to work.
: 2. won't work because only letters can be used for drive letters.
: You can't have C1, etc.
:
: The computer will not boot from the 300GB because copying partitions does
: not copy the Master Boot Record.
:
: See if the Bios recognizes the drive.
: Remove the drive not containing C and D.
: After it does, copy C to the 300 GB drive.
: <pause>
:
: Why don't you use disk cloning software to move the C drive to the 300 GB
: drive?
: --
: Ronald Sommer
:
: :: Hi all,
::
:: Thanks a lot for many of your expert suggestions and excellent
: advice(please
:: refer to my previous posts and your kind replies).
::
:: Just before I start, I have a question about the 300GB segate harddisk,
: will
:: it work on Dell Poweredge 400sc, which is a PC bought a few years ago and
: I
:: think it's quite old?
::
:: I am currently installing a USB converter on it, so I can use it as an
:: external drive. I attach my plan of attack below:
::
:: I haven't started yet. I guess I will be able to format it when using it
: via
:: USB as external drive.
::
:: But then later I will need to use it to replace the current primary
drive,
:: and serve as new C drive, and then reboot,
::
:: Will it have any troubles, according to my plan below?
::
:: Thanks a lot!
::
:: ------------------------------------------
::
:: JCO and everybody,
::
:: Bad news! I've just looked at my partitions, C(OS) and D(Program Files)
: are
:: unfornately on the same harddrive. Even if I combine them into a new C
:: partition, it doesn't gain me anything, because both of these two
: partitions
:: are currently fully loaded. An estimate of the free space after combining
: is
:: about 50MB out of a total space of approximately 38GB.
::
:: Originally, I planned that if C, E, F are on the same harddisk, I can
: remove
:: the data files on E and F, so after combining the partitions, all the
38GB
:: will be for OS, so it will have a lot free space.
::
:: Now, since C and D are on the same harddisk, I cannot remove those
program
:: files. So there is no gain.
::
:: Now I am planning to do the following:
::
:: 1. Attach my new 300GB harddisk as a USB external drive to the PC;
:: 2. Create three partition on 300GB harddisk, call them C1, D1, E1, for
OS,
:: Program Files and Data, respectively(Please note that I have to keep the
:: Program Files on D, since otherwise I will screw up many applications). I
: am
:: thinking of making C1 to be 30GB (vs. the original 11GB), D1 to be
: 70GB(vs.
:: the original 27GB), and allocating the remaining space to E1 (for data);
:: 3. Duplicate the content on C precisely and exactly onto C1;
:: 4. Duplicate the content on D precisely and exactly onto D1;
:: 5. Without rebooting, change the letter of C to be C2, and change the
: letter
:: of C1 to C, hence finish the swap;
:: 6. Without rebooting, change the letter of D to be D2, and change the
: letter
:: of D1 to D, hence finish the swap;
:: 7. Shutdown the PC. Remove that harddisk(of C and D) physically, and use
: the
:: 300GB harddisk as a replacement of that very harddisk;
:: 8. Reboot back. (Since I made exact copy of C and D partitions onto the
:: 300GB harddisk, I should be able to successfully reboot the system).
:: 9. The remaining are just housekeep task. I am done with joys, not with
:: tears!
::
:: Are the above procedures well-thought and fail-proof?
::
:: I am not sure about steps 3 and 4: C and C1 have different sizes, which
:: software will allow me to do an exact duplicate for partitions with
:: different sizes? Without having used PM, Ghost,Acronis, etc. before, I am
: a
:: little bit hesitant.
::
:: Could the experts here confirm my plan and so I will be able to
: jump-start?
::
:: Thanks a lot and have a great weekend!
::
::
::
::
::
:

 

[Bob Harris]

It sounds like you want to "clone" the hard drive, not simply copy
paritions.

Clone implies that you are also copying the boot record, not just the files.

Normally cloning programs offer three options (1) same size, (2) expand to
fit new disk, (3) custom. You probably want custom, since in addition to
making C and D each larger, you also want to create an "E".

Another approach would be to create the three paritions, then save images of
C and D on E, then restore the those images to the new C and the new D.
However, that might leave the new drive unbootable. Some cloning/imaging
programs also offer to make one parittion bootable. Obviously you would
chose C.

A couple of other possible wrinkles:

XP can not boot from an external drive. Thus, I am not sure whether any
cloning/imaging program would be willing to make the new hard drive
bootable, until after you install it inside the PC.

XP can get confused if it sees multiple installations of itself, or multiple
identical drives (e.g., two C's are a no-no). Avoid this by NOT booting
into XP, until all the cloning is done, and the old drive is removed and the
new one installed inside the PC.

XP activation for retail XP CD (nor OEM) looks at the volume number of the
first partition on the first internal hard drive. What you are proposing
may change that. It is only one of several things it examines, but if you
have made other changes, this could trigger a demand for re-activation.
That is not a big deal, but be prepared for it. If an OEM version of XP,
that is usually tied to the motherboard BIOS, and so replacing a hard drive
would not impact it.

The new hard drive is larger than 127 Gig. Thus, you should have SP-2
installed, before you attempt this operation. Also, be sure that the
motherboard's hard drive controller can support larger drives. For that
information you will probably have to contact the PC manufacture. Just
because the PC can see the drive via USB does not mean that it will work
when installed inside, presumably via ATA/IDE.

Do NOT erase the old hard drive, until everything is working perfectly with
the new one inside the PC. At least that will give you a fall-back option.

 

[DL]

Download & use the fully functioning Acronis True Image to clone your drive
to the usb. Veryfy the clone then *shutdown* PC.
Remove old drive and replace with the new