Two Drives

RandomThug · Post by **RandomThug** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:02 pm

Ok here is my situation. I install a second HD (160 gig added to the previous 80 gig). I set the 160 as my new primary, reinstall windows and drop in the 80 as a secondary. Yet the 80 was at once my primary so it has all my pc's drivers/programs etc startup files etc etc. How do I move over all the contents to another drive. I dont want to clone the drive because I dont want the old OS just the main files (program files and the drivers etc) I know I can just move some things but not everything.

Any solutions?

tom the terribl · Post by **tom the terribl** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 2:34 am

[QUOTE=RandomThug]Ok here is my situation. I install a second HD (160 gig added to the previous 80 gig). I set the 160 as my new primary, reinstall windows and drop in the 80 as a secondary. Yet the 80 was at once my primary so it has all my pc's drivers/programs etc startup files etc etc. How do I move over all the contents to another drive. I dont want to clone the drive because I dont want the old OS just the main files (program files and the drivers etc) I know I can just move some things but not everything.

Any solutions?[/QUOTE]

What are the drive names. Maxtor is largly incompatible with any other than maxtor drives. But check the switch settings on both drives. Your secondary (old drive) should be set to slave and the primary (new drive) set to master. The order they are pluged in may also have an effect. You using IDE or SATA?

Remember you must add the new drive in the bios setup for it to work. Restart and press F2 or del at first sign of boot. Or hold any key down and answer the prompt.

Copying Windows XP is difficult because many files are protected. Its best to use mirroring software that may have come with the new drive. But it may still not copy all programs like Norton Internet Security and game files. Norton Security own data file has all four protection switches set and this prevents the file from being copied. If you can startup in a dos mode the swiches can be changed but they'll need switching back before starting windows or the internet security will think its been tampered with. If your using the alternative window sector mode you can't start in dos mode and you will need mirrroring program.

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 12:39 pm

The simplest method is the built-in "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard". If you simply point that at the old drive, it should be able to copy all your program settings and documents to the new Widnows installation. I'm not sure if it can move entire programs (eg. MS Office) but it's worth looking at. If it doesn't there's another utility program that will, but I'll have to try and find the name for you.

stramoski · Post by **stramoski** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 6:19 am

An Idea

There's a program out there called Partition Magic which might be worth a look, as well. It can actually bridge the two drives, or use its own Boot Magic to give you some options to boot off different drives...