Hard drive question

[KrisM]

Hi all, I would REALLY appreciate it if someone could help me out.

I have a hard drive(Quantum Bigfoot 4GB in a '97 Compaq Presario) that has two partitions on it. The first partition is where Windows 98 SE and all the programs used to be. The second partition is where I kept all of my files. Well through a snafu I formatted the first partition, and now (from what I understand)with the software I have I can't re-install Windows without losing all of my data on the second partition.

My question is. Would it be possible to take my harddrive out and put it in a friends computer(Hewlett Packard W/Windows ME, thats pretty new) and copy the information with his CD/RW? If so, could anyone tell me what i should do to accomplish this, and are there risks to this that I should be aware of.

Any and all help would be much appreciated.

Kris M

 

[minendo]

If you have an actual windows cd you will not lose all the info on the other partition. The two partitions are like there own separate hard drives. The only way you would lose all info is if you repartioned the entire drive. However, yes you will be able to remove the drive and place it in a friends computer and it will detect all your files so that you can copy them. Make sure the OS is completely removed from your drive and it is set as a slave drive so that it doesnt try to boot from your hard drive while in your friends computer.

 

[4824guy]

You can also use the Compaq Restore disk that probably came with the PC and install it on the first partition without losing data on the second partition, assuming the first partition has enough free space Just make sure the the two partitions are set up by using your startup and and typing the fdisk command.

But the safest thing is just to do as you asked, take the HD to the other PC and backup your important files with the cd-rw. Then install the HD back in the compaq and install the OS and everything fresh.

 

[KrisM]

Thanks for the replies.

Now for another question.........Would ya'll know how to set it to slave instead of master. I assume it's done with the jumpers on back, but I don't know which ones.

Kris M

 

[minendo]

Is it not marked on the drive as to how to set the pins?

 

[KrisM]

also where in his computer will i hook it up? will the hard drive cable in his computer possibly have a second connector or will I have to take mine? or can I hook it to the middle connector of the cdrom cable if it's got one or it is free?


Kris M

 

[KrisM]

It does say something on the label. It looks like this(if this works)

jumper settings

. . sp slave

. . ds master

00 cs cable select





with the dots being pins and the cs cable select part looks like two white dots with black around them. like they are pins covered up. I don't know what this means.

there are four pins on the back by the cable. looking straight at it from the back the third pair from the left are jumpered now.

Kris M