how do i transfer all my files from the old hard drive to the new one? also, can i transfer my windows xp software from one to another? thanks.
2007-03-21 04:12:07 · 3 answers · asked by HT 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
If you want to transfer files from one hard drive to another:
1. Is your new hard drive external or internal? If it is external, it should be as easy as connecting to the computer (via Firewire port, USB port, etc.) and letting Windows recognize the new hardware. After it is recognized and any drivers needed are installed, you should be able to access it easily.
2. If your hard drive is internal, you should install it first with the first hard drive still in place. I believe you can set the new drive as a Secondary Slave or Master Slave, depending on how your optical drives (cd, dvd, etc.) and your first hard drive is configured for your PC. When you get your second drive installed correctly, you can safely transfer data onto it, and then you have the choice of deleting old files off your first drive or uninstalling your first drive (although I think having 2 massive hard drives together would make an excellent media rig).
Your windows xp install really likes to not move. Period. If you try copying and pasting your XP files onto the new drive and running off it, your computer will have a very difficult time, because XP may not understand what just happened and all the previous software links can be broken. It would be best to just uninstall windows and reinstall it.
Here is what I would do:
1. Put both drives in together and copy important files from the smaller to the larger drive.
2. Uninstall Windows XP and reinstall it onto the larger drive
3. Clean old files off the old hard drive.
Looks simple, but you are probably looking at a few hours of work. Good luck!
2007-03-21 04:22:12 · answer #1 · answered by Pierce G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many new drives come with a utility which will copy an old drive to a new drive. If not, go to the manufacturer's website, as they have utilities there which will do it. You will want to use their utilities rather than trying the to copy the drive from within Windows so that hidden and system files will all be moved to the new drive.
2007-03-21 11:22:04 · answer #2 · answered by FL_Engineer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Change the old drives jumper on the back to SL (slave) and when you reboot your machine will pick up the old drive. Then just copy.
2007-03-21 11:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋