This may be a dumb question, I dunno but the hard drive I have in my pc now is only 3 gb which is nearly used up. I have a older computer which I don't use anymore and was just wondering if its possible to reformat the hard drive from that pc and use it as a second drive on my current pc? I know I will need to get a larger drive eventually but I was considering doing this as a temporary fix. Is it even possible to do this?
2006-09-05 16:25:40 · 16 answers · asked by webgirl126 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
I don't see why not, I have done it several times. Don't forget to move the jumper on the hard-drive from the old machine so that is set as 'slave'.
2006-09-05 16:31:05 · answer #1 · answered by boracic1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely it is.
If both hard drives are IDE and they most probably are... then just make sure there is an available connection in your computer to connect the hard drive. The cable that connects the current hard drive may have a connection on it, in the middle of the cable.
There is a tutorial for adding a slave drive (2nd hard drive) to your computer at this website. Should give you all the info you need.
http://www.cyberwalker.com/columns/apr98/041698.html
2006-09-05 23:31:05 · answer #2 · answered by fill in the blanks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, but since its coming from an older computer it might connect by IDE/ATA, so you can hook it up if you have an open slot. I reformatted my hard drive with a dos diskette. The link is here: http://www.allbootdisks.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=selectfolder&filecatid=1
I used the one at the bottom I believe. Oh yeah, you can't do this without a floppy drive, so you might need to find another way.
2006-09-05 23:32:28 · answer #3 · answered by Koy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. What you will have to do is plug it into your existing pc as a "slave" (or set the jumpers on the drive to cable select). It should pick up the drive within your pc. Right click my computer and select manage. Under computer management click disk management. Highlight the new drive should read disk size as 3gb or so. Right click and format. THat should take care of it. Regards.
2006-09-05 23:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by Bill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there:
I read the answers above, and really... well, there are many issues that are not mentioned, and the links "help" but are rather glib and narrow in their focus...
You really need to identify the kinds of drives in the computers,
and it would help to list the name of the motherboard. These 3 peices of data would allow anyone interested to help you without guessing hundreds of possible details.
There are MFM, RLL, IDE, ATA, sATA, SCSI, ESDI, etc. harddrives, and many harddrives will NOT work with each other, and there are motherboards which will NOT work with certain harddrives, so without any information, one would be guessing - post back some info, and you may get better answers.
2006-09-05 23:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's possible. you have to set your primary HDD to a Master by changing the jumper to master and the other one to a Slave
if you connected them to the same bus make sure to put the Master hard drive on the end the the Slave on the middle of the bus
2006-09-05 23:34:41 · answer #6 · answered by GNR Sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I reformat my computer about once a month, but you cannot install 2 hard drives in one computer
2006-09-05 23:35:39 · answer #7 · answered by acid tongue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is possible
i say that buying an external drive casing would be easier and probobly safer for your computer in case somethign happen. than opening up your pc but if you are inclined to do it that way, go for it.
2006-09-05 23:29:46 · answer #8 · answered by wowdeamon123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On top of everything said here, you will need to go into your BIOS and set the secondary harddisk option to Auto.
2006-09-05 23:32:34 · answer #9 · answered by boonleel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your new motherboard supports the older hard drive. just check the ports to verify
2006-09-05 23:32:53 · answer #10 · answered by rajorx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋