Adding old HDD

Leezy · 16 Dec 2007 at 21:23

Hi folks,

Im getting a new computer for xmas and it has everything already in it just need OS and what have you...

i was wondering as i have a HDD in my old computer that works fine, will i be able to add it to the build as it had lots of wanted files. is adding it a possiblily or is it a complete no go?

thanks

fobose · 16 Dec 2007 at 21:54

Its fine. Is it a PATA drive? If so and if you have reused old PATA DVDRW's etc then you may not have enough ports as most new motherboards only have 1 PATA port. Something to keep in mind though, when you plug it in check the boot order in the bios to make sure its still set to your new hard drive.

jak731 · 16 Dec 2007 at 21:58

you can add it in, but windows may not be too pleased with all the hardware changes. ie it may BSOD a lot or just kick up a huge fuss until you reformat or repair the windows install.

you will also need to check if you have the correct connector on your new MB for your HDD when you have everything else in i.e. do you have enough IDE/sata connectors

fobose · 16 Dec 2007 at 22:08

The above is true, but only if your using your old hard drive as your main hard drive for your new PC. However the way I see it is you already have a new hard drive and want to put your old hard drive in to retrieve data from it, not use it as a OS drive.

Leezy · 16 Dec 2007 at 22:18

well my old HDD has windows XP installed on it and i have enough ports so can i just plug it in and set it as master and make sure it is primary boot drive.

fobose · 16 Dec 2007 at 22:41

No, as said above, the OS wont like it and will probably give you all kinds of problem. Your going to need to format your windows install on your old drive if you want to use it as a primary boot drive.

Leezy · 16 Dec 2007 at 22:51

so either way ill loose my data?

fobose · 16 Dec 2007 at 23:07

If you have a new hard drive you could install windows on that, then plug your old hard drive in and retrieve stuff from it that way, and then format the old drive and have it as a storage/junk drive.

However if your old hard drive has a seperate partition on it, so that you have the OS on one part, and all your data you wish to keep on the other? If so you would just need to format the OS partition. This is if you hadn't purchased a new hard drive with your new build.

From your original post it sounds like your getting a WHOLE new computer, that is why I said what I said in my first post. Can you make it clear what you have or dont have?

Leezy · 17 Dec 2007 at 10:28

yeah my new computer has everything in it all major parts, if its as simple as u say then it shouldnt be a problem.