Installing XP on Second Drive - Contains Data

[Guest]

I hope you can help me with this one. I currently have 2 internal hard
drives. I use the second for extra storage, meaning there are currently no
partitions or OS created/installed. This drive currently has most of my
saved files. My primary hard drive (with partitions & OS) is crashing fast,
and needs replaced. I backed up my entire hard drive (using Acronis True
Image) to my second drive.

I am buying a hard drive today to replace the primary drive, and need to
know the best way to go about switching the drives. I don't have a boot disc
yet - out of CD-Rs which I'm also going to buy today - but can make one
through Acronis. I also have the Windows XP home installation disc.

I'm wondering if there's a way that I can set up Windows XP on the second
drive now (WITHOUT deleting current data on it), or if there's an easier way
once I replace the primary drive. Also, what leg work do I need to do - if
any - as far as boot discs, or other preparation goes.

 

[Guest]

Well if youre 2nd drive is used for storage then leave alone,the new drive #3,
needs to be set as slave to C: on same IDE cable.Then in xp,format the slave
and make sure it has a primary partition,once thru,go to run,type:
XCOPY C:\*.* D:\ /c/h/e/k/r Agree to all in the DOS window,once its thru,
then youre finished,C: is now on new hd.Also,D: being slave,if asigned
diffrent
letter,then use it instead of D:

 

[Gerry Cornell]

John

I would not install Windows XP on your second hard drive.

Check in the BIOS that your CD drive has been selected as a Boot Device in
Advanced Bios features before your hard disk. Your motherboard manual should
contain information on your BIOS.

Remove the old hard drive and put in your new hard drive ensuring that the
jumper is set for master and not slave. Insert Windows XP Home Edition CD
and press start up button. Follow instructions on screen. Update all drivers
for system devices as necessary ensuring all devices are working correctly
before installing SP2 and later updates. Reinstall programmes and update as
necessary..

Good luck.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

Hi John,
I strongly urge you to do the following...you'll never regret it and it will
save you much time and grief in the future....buy your 2nd hard drive, but
also buy and download the cloning program Casper XP. Then replace your
auxilliary drive with the new drive as slave, leaving the dying drive in
place temporarily as master. (Act fast before it dies). Then clone 1 to
2...it's very easy and fast...be sure to read each step carefully. Once
you've done this, jettison the bad drive and put the new drive in it's place.
Casper XP will have made the new drive bootable, and every single bit from
the old drive is now on it. You should be able to just sail on happily.

Personally, I have 2 drives in place continuously and use my 2nd drive, the
slave, as a cloned backup of the primary drive....cloning about every week.
So...when the moment comes that the primary drive dies I just switch hard
drives and I'm up and running as though nothing happened. Believe me, this
arrangement has saved my sanity more than once.

 

[deebs]

I hope you can help me with this one. I currently have 2 internal hard
drives. I use the second for extra storage, meaning there are currently no
partitions or OS created/installed. This drive currently has most of my
saved files. My primary hard drive (with partitions & OS) is crashing fast,
and needs replaced. I backed up my entire hard drive (using Acronis True
Image) to my second drive.

I am buying a hard drive today to replace the primary drive, and need to
know the best way to go about switching the drives. I don't have a boot disc
yet - out of CD-Rs which I'm also going to buy today - but can make one
through Acronis. I also have the Windows XP home installation disc.

I'm wondering if there's a way that I can set up Windows XP on the second
drive now (WITHOUT deleting current data on it), or if there's an easier way
once I replace the primary drive. Also, what leg work do I need to do - if
any - as far as boot discs, or other preparation goes.

I think you have had some very good advice based not only on the theory
of data handling but also incorporating hardware issues gained by
experience and good practice.

My tuppen'orth is:
- think about another hard drive as an external device accessed either
by firewire or USB. Why?

Well at the first signs of disks going dodgy there is nothing nicer as
an extra data supplement for critical stuff.

BTW: these can be bought as all-in packages but for savings in economy
it is less expensive to by the external hard drice case and disk
separately. Besides which, you can choose the size/quality/spec of the
hard drive yourself.