I've two PCs at home - both running windows xp professional service pack 2. Now, I want to exchange the hard disks (One is 40GB and the other is 160GB) between the two computers.
(1) First of all, is it possible?
(2) If yes, then what are the precautionary steps which I need to take before transfering the hard disks?
Please help.
2006-07-25 18:55:48 · 8 answers · asked by iamidea 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
1 - it is possible..
2 - there are no serious precautinoary steps. Just know that you may have to install the drivers for the hardware on the computers that you swap the drives with. For example, if your first computer has a NVidia card and the second one has an ATI card, then you may need to install the drivers when you swap the HDD.
2006-07-25 19:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by wildhair 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it.
With the 40GB system, you'll probably encounter the problem that the BIOS can't recognize the 160GB disk. You can fix this in advance however, by visiting the manufacturer's website of the drive that's still in there and downloading a tiny utility to update the BIOS for large disks.
Other than that, just pull the power cords out of both systems before you open the cases. That's all the precautions.
When you boot the systems with the new hard drives, they might whimper for a bit about all the hardware changes :-)
Just boot into safe mode if you have to and pamper them for a few minutes.
2006-07-25 19:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can do so. There should be absolutely no problem in exchanging the harddisks. But you should take a few precautionary steps. Please try to check if the harddisks are both either IDE or are SATA. If they are different, you need to check if the motherboard which had the IDE harddisk is compatible enough to take the SATA harddisk. If it is so, then go ahead and have fun. If they are different, then i guess there isn't much to do.
NOTE: the SATA cables may be identiified as having a slightly thick blue colored cable. The IDE cable can be identified as having a ribbon like cable which ideally would have the words IDE written on it.
Hope this info helps you. Regards.
2006-07-25 19:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by spyke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use 3 hard drives, 1 for programs, 1 for files, 1 for backup, the price of hdd are so cheap now, i really wouldnt use that 40 gb is probably real old the life of a hdd is 2 to 3 years, you can buy 100 gb for less than $50
2006-07-25 19:14:58 · answer #4 · answered by johnman142 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unplug both machines. Discharge static from your body to a water pipe (wear no shoes as soles create static.) Take off main cover. Touch the metal inside frame of each computer to discharge static. Disconnect both drives from power and buss. Unscrew and remove. Swap, reconnect power and buss, and replace main cover. Plug in and start.
2006-07-25 19:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by helixburger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes u can.....First make sure you are degaused...
swcondly Id make sure that the plugs are the same (should be if the are even remotely close in manufactured year)
I do it all the time don't sweat it but Id find a way to safeguard (down load) all ur SUPER important files off first.
2006-07-25 19:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by NARC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes its possible....
But the both systems configurations must be same.. (i mean mother board...and other hard ware devices....(graphics.. audio...etc...,) If not u have to reinstall all the driver softwares again...
That's it no precautionary steps...
2006-07-25 19:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by vijji_bdr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
certainly you can. If the motherboard of computers are different and have dissimilar peripherals you may find some driver problems after installing.
2006-07-25 19:42:15 · answer #8 · answered by mmbaskr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋