Using the second HDD - PC Help Forum - Free Computer Help, Windows, Hardware, Software and more!

v3x · #1 04-11-2008

Hello,

I'm trying to use my second HDD but the problem is that it has WindowsXP installed on it and I'm not sure how to install it without losing my data. I already have XP installed on my current one. Could somebody provide detailed instructions on how I should go by doing this from step 1 (connecting hardware), please? I'm not sure what type it is. It has that wide plug in the back with no jumpers.

Thank you.

Jelly Bean · #2 04-11-2008

Hello there.

You want to fit an IDE slave drive?

You need to set maindrive with no jumper as in master with secondary slave.Set jumper on slave drive to slave.

The main drive goes on IDE lead socket closest to mainboard.Slave goes on end.

Fit power supply port.

Once this is done reboot.

Open slave drive you can transfer all files to main drive if there is enough space.Then you can open my computer and reformat the slave via right click,format.You will get a warning all data will be lost just continue as the slave drive is empty.This then makes slave read to store files on.

v3x · #3 04-11-2008

Errr... I don't have jumpers. My stuff is oldschool.

Jelly Bean · #4 04-11-2008

Little plastic jumpers on HDD?

zinglebarb · #5 4 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Hello there.

You want to fit an IDE slave drive?

You need to set maindrive with no jumper as in master with secondary slave.Set jumper on slave drive to slave.

The main drive goes on IDE lead socket closest to mainboard.Slave goes on end.

Fit power supply port.

Once this is done reboot.

Open slave drive you can transfer all files to main drive if there is enough space.Then you can open my computer and reformat the slave via right click,format.You will get a warning all data will be lost just continue as the slave drive is empty.This then makes slave read to store files on.

That is incorrect. The master device goes on the end of the cable the slave device goes in the middle

If the existing drive has no jumpers and is ide chances are its ben incorrectly installed as a slave drive . If the second drive is also ide and was installed as moster originally then you will need to install this drive on the secondary ide channel. If you only have 1 ide channel and the old drive was originally installed on this machine you will be running inot problems . Easiest solution boot from old HDD copy files to dvd/cd delete partition with xp cd and set it up using disk management on new install

Jelly Bean · #6 4 Weeks Ago

Please note:This issue was resolved else were.

My slave drive is on end of IDE lead and have no trouble with it.

Some HDDs actualy have 2 jumpers each and are positioned diffrently to some other make and models of hard drives.

Omg all the books I bought are wrong.

zinglebarb · #7 4 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Please note:This issue was resolved else were.

My slave drive is on end of IDE lead and have no trouble with it.

Some HDDs actualy have 2 jumpers each and are positioned diffrently to some other make and models of hard drives.

Omg all the books I bought are wrong.

Slave is meant to be the middle of the cable master at the end this is the case there is no other correct way . Jumpers force the drive but it should still be cabled correctly

IDE Cables