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How do I transfer my current HDD to my new system?

S

Spudd

Golden Member
PLEASE have mercy on my ignorance, but I can't find the answer to this particular question. Here's my problem:

I'm building my own system but can't afford to upgrade my HDD at the moment (poor college kid...hehe), and wanted to know if there is anything special I have to do in transferring the HDD. The problem is I want to keep the data that's on the drive so a format is a last resort. I'm wondering if the current drivers for the vidcard, sound, etc that are on the HDD will mess up my installation of the newer components(vid card, etc) on the new system. Do I just delete these drivers right before disassembling the old computer? Help! 😕
 
You may or may not be in for a headache. Please tell us:

1. Your old system. What mobo, what CPU.
2. Your new system. What mobo, what CPU.

If you are going from a PIII to a PIII or a TBird/Duron to a TBird/Duron, you probably can just plug in the new HD and go. Need more info.
 
If you have win2k, there is a little util. It will wipe out all your machine specific drivers. When you put it in the new PC, it will prompt you for your new drivers. No data will be lost.
 
even after doing that could be a pain in the arse w/ broken drivers everywhere.

One option is to move everything into one directory that you want to save (data and stuff, not programs since they depend on windows..). Then deltree all the directories EXCEPT the one you want to save (duh).. and then install from scratch.

This, mind you, is a painfully slow method, and you have to have all the software you need (installs) as well.

*edit* tunaboo, what utility is that? And going from intel->intel/amd->amd would probably be less of a hassle, but i'd still reinstall when you could (yes, i've gone from intel->intel.. bx boards.. things got funky).

Linh
 
Thanks for the quick response guys! Anyway, here are my current and future specs:

Current:
P2 300Mhz CPU
Gateway MOBO (for G-6 300 series)


Future:
T-bird 1Ghz at 266FSB
Epox 8KHA MOBO

OS= Win 98 FE (but patched all the way up to SE w/o ICS) 😀
 
Do you have a CD burner? In this case it would be best (MHO) to save all your files/proggys/porn that you just can't live w/o and reformat.
 


<< even after doing that could be a pain in the arse w/ broken drivers everywhere.

One option is to move everything into one directory that you want to save (data and stuff, not programs since they depend on windows..). Then deltree all the directories EXCEPT the one you want to save (duh).. and then install from scratch.

This, mind you, is a painfully slow method, and you have to have all the software you need (installs) as well.

*edit* tunaboo, what utility is that? And going from intel->intel/amd->amd would probably be less of a hassle, but i'd still reinstall when you could (yes, i've gone from intel->intel.. bx boards.. things got funky).

Linh >>



Sysprep v 1.1
 
Yes, I thought about that but unfortunately I don't have one nor do I know anyone who does.....crud.


What is my best bet? Should I just try sticking it as is in the new system and boot up and see what happens first? Or should I just go ahead and put all the personal files in a folder and delete everything else from DOS? OR should I just reformat the drive? (D'OH)

 
Do you have broadband or access to a server? Reason I ask is so you could possbily back up a few hundred MBs of absolutely mission-critical data to either a server or some &quot;temporary free space&quot; out on the internet. An impossiblity w/dialup. Let us know...
 
Hmmmm....I hadn't thought of that. I do have a very fast DSL connection to the net...but didn't almost all the free internet storage sites go kaput? It is however, a brilliant suggestion! 😎
 
Free storage, ESPECIALLY temporary storage is out there. You'll need to search, but I'd imagine by the time I hit &quot;reply&quot; someone will have already informed you of a site. Lots of folks here actually have servers, whether they be FTP or game or whatever...I'm sure someone here will let you temporarily save some stuff. Being that you have a broadband connection, you wouldn't slow anyone down too much. Good luck.
 
Thanks man, and everyone for all the help! One last thing: if I do go ahead and upload the important stuff, does that mean that I should go ahead and REFORMAT (from DOS?) and then reinstall Win 98 afterwards? I know about the articles for installing new drives, but what about a used one? Anything special that I should do after reformatting? Thanks again!
 
OMG, YES! After you have saved (saved to wherever) all your critical data, REFORMAT. Wipe that puppy clean and reinstall from scratch. A caveat; B4 you wipe your drive, make sure you have two things;

1. Win98CD
2. Win98 bootdisk

Without the bootdisk, you are SOL. If you don't have a bootdisk, you can make one thru File Mangler or go to BOOTDISK.COM and DL one from them. Thumbs up!!
 
Thanks a million man.

P.S. I've never really used the A drive on this computer before, and tried to make a bootdisk but it said the disk couldn't be formatted. It's not locked. Are there diskettes specifically designed for Win 98? This one's from an old Win95 batch. (Really, I've never used this comp's A drive...hehe)
 
Diskettes go bad or can't be written to for any number of reasons. RU sure it's not write-protected? Do you have/can you obtain a newer disk? You need a GOOD bootdisk. W/O one, you cannot install Win98. Either get one or go shell out a few bucks and buy one. 😉
 
Rgr that man. Sorry to be a pain, but I'm just getting the &quot;First Home Built System&quot; gitters. Hehe. Thanks again! 😀
 
Spudd -- Assuming you want to stay with the same OS, get a copy of Norton Ghost. Many motherboards come with a free, legal copy. It's a DOS based program that will clone your hard drive, OS and all.

When you start your new system, Windows will do it's normal search for new hardware and install the drivers for your motherboard. You may still have to go back and add others from the disk that comes with it.

Before you Ghost your drive, be sure to set your video to generic VGA. That will prevent conflicts between drivers for your old video card and your new one. After you have your new motherboard drivers installed, you can install the drivers for your new vid card.

I've done this successfully many times. The worst that can happen is that it fails, and you have to go about it with far more work.

Good luck. 🙂
 
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