How to make new HD the boot drive (W98) over older pre-existing hd (slower..)?

[DannyLarry]

I am installing a new Ultra ata/100 hd (IBM Deskstar 30gig 7200rpm) and Promise UA100 controller card in my system. This will be added to the older udma33 10gig (5400rpm) that has been in there on the mobo's ide controller. First, I assume I should leave the umda33 10gig on the mobo's ide plug and have only the new ua100 hdd on the ua100 controller card?

My main question is how do I ensure that the OS will boot from the new, faster hdd? Can I actually uninstall w98 from the old hdd? Should I copy all files to the new drive and then wipe the old one?

Also, I have heard of hdd copying apps. that allow you to transfer all your personal files from one hdd to another. Anyone know some links to these, or names to search for?

My assumption of this adding a hdd process goes like this (correct me on anything you see missing or incorrect..): 1) install Promise UA100 pci card (power up sys and allow it be seen. power back down if it is.)

2) install hdd on controller card with ata100 cable (I think that comes with the card - it's 80 or 90 pins? right?)

3) Now somewhere in here I am supposed to run fdisk and format at a dos prompt, right? I guess the sys. doesn't find 'new hardware' when you power up to get to that dos prompt? Or do you get there by starting with a sys. disk in the 3.5"?

4) (after formatting and assigning a drive letter..) install OS from dos?

5) and again, how to make the new, fast hdd the boot drive (don't need dual booting os'..)

Obviously, the instruction manual for the IBM Deskstar will have some info. but it won't be here for a day or so, and I'm DYING to know how this process is completed smoothly.

Sincere thanks for anyone who takes the time to help. Anandtech Rules!

 

[BurnItDwn]

well .... Norton Ghost is probably the best thing out there to image from one disk to another ...

part 1 and 2 are good (80pin Fyi)
after drive is installed to ata100 card ... Fdisk

then change the active drive to the Deskstar ...

(hit 5 to change current fixed drive ... the new drive should be listed there after the promise card is installed)

once fdisk is done ... i'd suggest making the drive into one big partition ... (when it asks to make it the maximum size possible ... hit yes) but if you wanna partition it differetnly then go ahead ...

once you finnish this ... do not install the OS ... use Ghose to transfer everything from the old drive to the new drive ...

then go to the bios ... and configure it to boot from the Promise card (usually this is achieved by setting it to boot from SCSI device ...)

 

[clumsum]

My brother and I just installed a *SIIG, Inc. Ultra ATA/100 controller card into my aunts pc.
I purchased the controller at Best Buy for about $50., not really sure just who the mfg. is as the pc recognizes the card as CMD Technology PCI-0649. (Anyone out there know who this is?)

Everything is installed and is working fine, but we could have had a much easier time of it, if we had first:
Read the read-me file on the included floppy
Visited the mfg's website and browsed the faq's
Asked for help/advice here as you are doing (great idea)

We finally ended up w/the following:
New 20G WD ATA100 on controller card IDE 1 (drive C)
Old Segate 2G ATA33 on controller card IDE 2 (drive D)
CD-ROM on mb IDE 1 (although SIIG advises mb IDE 2 ??)
Both HDD's and CD-ROM pins set on "master".
We formatted w/WD "Data Lifeguard Tools" (included w/floppy) and completely copied Win98 OS from the old 2G to the new 20G (just in case?)

This is a great up grade, I can't believe the difference in system speed and boot time!!!

* Curiously, the card itself would not seat completely into the pci slot? (AT case)
My brother wanted to bend the metal ear on the I/O bracket, but I didn't want to damage anything that would make the card un-returnable to retailer.
We finally compromised (a major accomplishment - for us!) and unscrewed the card from the I/O bracket and just inserted the card by itself w/no support into the pci slot. My bro assured me it would be ok as he said, older Apple machines used all of them this way?

I hope some of this info helps ................?

 

[DannyLarry]

Allright! Thanks guys! just after reading some other post similar in subject (there are, after all, countless of these ide config questions out there - evryone should know that, sometimes you just have to post your own question for time sake..) But it is good to see that some people have opted to just connect their older hdd to the new controller card on the second ide channel.

I assume the older hdd (an ata33 did you say?) physically fits on the ata100 controller card? But that seems like a solid KISS (keep it stupid simple..)solution. Now I am seeing (from other posts..) that the C: drive is always the active/boot drive.

So you say you were able to just 'copy' the os eh? I thought that would surely have to be a full reinstall. Anyway, I'm much closer to being clued-in, now I just have to get my stuff from UPS (later this week.)

I'm actually taking delivery on (WHOOHOO!!!) 1) P3/850e Slot1 (upgrading my Dell p2/400(!!))
2) IBM Deskstar 30gig 7200rpm w/Promise ua100 card
3) Elsa Gladiac GF2 MX (Retail)

Thanks folks - I'm preparing for intense fun..