How Do I install another Hard DRive???

[TJ22]

I already have a 45gig 7200 ata/100 maxtor HD with windows installed and partitioned down into 5 drives. Now I am adding another 20gig 5400rpm ata/100 maxtor hd. I can format it but I cannot partition it. Could somebody walk me through step by step installing another hd. Thanks.

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

Well all you should have to do is this:

go to DOS and start up Fdisk.

now make sure you hit the # that says change disk (so you can choose from either your 45G,or 20G drive).

then choose your 20G drive.

then setup your partitions as usuall.


Hope this helps.



Shawn.

 

[TJ22]

I am not sure what you mean by # sign. I have used fdisk many times but am not sure when to hit it. Could you be more specific. Thanks.

 

[weshuang]

I assume he means the numeric selection in the menu. However, I don't recall seeing such a selection. Are you sure you shouldn't be using a command line parameter, such as fdisk d:?

 

[Askalon]

actually I know what he is talking about. When you have multiple drives, there is a selection to change drives. Otherwise it defaults to the primary master drive. One word of caution. if you do place this drive in, all of your dive letters will change.

 

[TJ22]

What would be the best thing to do then???

 

[pcmodem]

Yo,
When partitioning a drive using Fdisk, you usually get 4ish options from the main menu. If you have a second HDD connected, it lists an extra option, call it option number 5. Select option 5 to switch to your new HDD. Once you do that, you can partition away.

Be certain you are partitioning the correct drive before proceeding.
-pcmodem

 

[GregMal]

Your drive letters will not change if you remember 1 thing.
Don't make an "active" partition on the 2nd drive!!!
If you just partition the 2nd drive and format, it will add new drive
letters after your existing drive letters.
But if you do make the 2nd harddrive partition "active", then the
1st partition on the 2nd drive will become the new D: partition
in your system. This screws everything up............
Greg

 

[TJ22]

Thanks, I will give it a try.

 

[TidesFan]

Maxtor also has MaxBlast software that is great for setting up the partitions and copying partitions onto a new drive. Get it at Maxtor's website. It will make a boot disk that is easy to follow the instructions for. The software is the same as IBM and WD make available to their customers.