Hard drive caddy? best way?

ivrytwr3 · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:12

OK, my pc graphics card slot has died and i've decided to buy a new system (old one was 7 years old anyway!) However, there is a lot of stuff on my old hard drive ie files and folders and also installed programs.

Would i be able to remove the old pc hard drive, insert into a caddy and transfer to my new pc?

If not, what can i do to get the old stuff to the new?

If yes, can anyone recommend a caddy?

Ta!!

cmndr_andi · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:31

I had a similar situation. I just opened the side of my new pc, connected up old HDD and sat it in a cardboard box. Transferred all my files to my new (much faster) HDD and had a beer.

I don't think you really need to buy a caddy for this single operation. Just make sure your new PC does not see the old HDD as its primary HDD - as windows will not load properly with a new motherboard and old HDD.

ivrytwr3 · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:44

lol, you make it sound so easy! Questions:

make sure your new PC does not see the old HDD as its primary HDD

How do i do this?

I just opened the side of my new pc, connected up old HDD

Is this easy to do? (i never touch anything inside the case really!)

cmndr_andi · 4 Jul 2009 at 16:56

Sure thing, first the connection.

As its 7 years old I'm sure your old HDD will be an IDE interface (wide, flat ribbon cable connection). Take the old HDD out of your old pc (simply unscrew it with a screwdriver). Beforehand, disconnect the power cable from the HDD (make a mental note of what the connector looks like) and the ribbon cable from the motherboard and any other drives (so keep it connected to the HDD). Then find a nice container like a cardboard box, put the HDD in it.

Now - put it in your new system: Connect the IDE ribbon cable to the correct slot (should look identical to the one on the old motherboard), then find a power cable identical to the one used in the old PC (its should be called a molex) and connect it into the old HDD. Then turn on your new PC.

If it loads into windows fine, no worries, go ahead and transfer your files. If it crashes, do the following:

Go into the BIOS when the computer first turns on (usually have to hold down the delete key), then find the Hard Disk boot priority. Make sure the new HDD is set to be the first priority and that you old one is not. Save the settings and you should load into your new PC fine - with the old HDD connected as a secondary drive

ivrytwr3 · 4 Jul 2009 at 17:04

that sounds good! I'll give it a try, many, many thanks!