New XP Install on D:Drive Keep Applications & Data on C: Drive

[Dennis]

I want to move Windows XP all by its lonesome self to a new second
drive (say D, and keep existing application programs and data on my
existing C:drive WITHOUT XP on this drive. This is NOT a dual OS, I
just want one XP OS, on a new physical D:drive separated from my
applications and data that should remain on my C:drive. Why do this
you may ask?

Well with applications, data and XP OS all on a single C-drive (my
current situation), I don't want to do XP repairs and reinstalls
(especially clean ones) and putting my applications & data at risk.
I'm having trouble with XP now and have been advised to do a new XP
install. Even if this really isn't necesary, some day it likely will
be. There are a jillion POSTS about XP freeze-ups and other troubles
with reinstall recommendations! If XP is on a second physical drive by
itself, then it's easier to manage and there is less risk to
applications & data. You can call this B. Gates Windows insurance!
Second hard drives are pretty cheap now and I won't even have to pay
MS a dime.

What is the recommended way to do this? I know how to work BIOS boot
changes and how to manage master-slave and primary-secondary drive
configutations and changes.

One suggestion is to install the D: drive, then boot to a floppy (say
the floppy supplied by Maxtor with the new drive) and just copy C:-all
to D:. Then, physically remove the C-drive and do a new XP install to
D: (don't care what happens to applications & data on D. Next,
configure D: as the boot drive, reconnect C: ,rip out the original XP
OS from the C-drive, and finally rip out any remaining applications &
data on D drive. Wa-la, Applications and data remain on the C-drive,
Windows XP all by itself on the D-drive. Will this strategy work? What
do I need to watch out for. It sounds deceptively straight forward. I
will make sure both drives are the same brand (Maxtor) if this even
matters. Can anyone offer or point to some step by step instructions
how to do this? I don't need any fancy partioning, just apps & data on
C:, XP on D:. Plain and simple.

Thanks in advance.

Dennis

 

[Delwin Lee [MSFT]]

Your reasons for doing this are good (we do the same kind of thing here),
but I'm a little confused by your plan. The biggest kink I see is that when
you remove your old hard drive (what you refer to as C) and install to your
new hard drive (D), Windows will probably assume that your new hard drive is
C. Hence, everything will fall apart once you put your old drive back on.

Why not simply install your new hard drive (as C), and then reconnect your
old hard drive (as D).