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

[Spudd]

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!

 

[bevancoleman]

No advisable to simply try up upgrade the computer arround the HDD, Windows gets sh!tty about lots of HW changes.

If you don't wish to format the drive you can try wiping the windows directory and reinstalling windows. You will keep data, but will still need to reinstall all programs.

 

[Lioness]

I currently have a 20gb HD Maxtor on my PC. I would like to replace my 20gb with a 40gb Western Digital HD. What is the safest AND easiest way to transfer all my files from the 20gb HD to the 40gb?

Thanks Dawn

 

[bevancoleman]

<< I currently have a 20gb HD Maxtor on my PC. I would like to replace my 20gb with a 40gb Western Digital HD. What is the safest AND easiest way to transfer all my files from the 20gb HD to the 40gb? Thanks Dawn >>



There are utils for doing this, such as norton goast.

 

[Mytv]

My advice, own at least two harddrives and use windows good old fashion drag and drop and copy the files over using windows explorer.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< My advice, own at least two harddrives and use windows good old fashion drag and drop and copy the files over using windows explorer. >>



Thats not a bad method if there is only a changed HD. Remember to boot off the 20Gb (ie 20Gb as C and to enable viewing of hidden and system files. Having DMA enabled on both of the HDD will speed things up a lot, but it isn't needed. Remove the 20Gb and put the 40Gb as C: and boot back up. If everything is fine you can then reinstall the 20Gb as D: and reformat it.