Moving Slave HD to a different computer

[Vcize]

Ok, circumstances are a bit strange here.

I had a Windows XP setup with a 120gb secondary HD that had just data on it (no OS). Long story short, that computer is gonna be out of commision for a while, and I need to get to the data on that secondary HD.

Now, the only other computer option I have is my girlfriends, which is an older Dell Dimension 8100 with Windows Millenium on it (I know I know). I went ahead and put the 120gb HD from my computer into hers, got the jumpers set properly, etc. The HD shows up in the BIOS, but it doesn't show up when I go into "My Computer" on the Dell. Only the boot drive (C drive) shows up, but the data only drive I pulled from my computer doesn't show up.

I need to get into this second HD without re-formatting it, since I need the data on it.

Am I just SOL here or is there something I'm missing?

 

[aGreenAgent]

Is the secondary drive NTFS? If it is, I think ME won't pick up on it.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Vcize
Ok, circumstances are a bit strange here.

I had a Windows XP setup with a 120gb secondary HD that had just data on it (no OS). Long story short, that computer is gonna be out of commision for a while, and I need to get to the data on that secondary HD.

Now, the only other computer option I have is my girlfriends, which is an older Dell Dimension 8100 with Windows Millenium on it (I know I know). I went ahead and put the 120gb HD from my computer into hers, got the jumpers set properly, etc. The HD shows up in the BIOS, but it doesn't show up when I go into "My Computer" on the Dell. Only the boot drive (C drive) shows up, but the data only drive I pulled from my computer doesn't show up.

I need to get into this second HD without re-formatting it, since I need the data on it.

Am I just SOL here or is there something I'm missing?

Was the harddrive formatted in NTFS? Me wont be able to detect an NTFS formatted harddrive, only FAT32 afaik.

EDIT: wow, I was waaay late

My connection is reduced to 56k temporarily and I've been opening about 5 windows at once and responding as they load

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Ditto. WinMe can't read NTFS partitions.

Systernals makes a driver for Win98/Me that allows those OSes to access NTFS partitions. The freeware version is read only, but it would allow you to have access to your data:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfswin98.shtml

 

[Vcize]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Ditto. WinMe can't read NTFS partitions.

Systernals makes a driver for Win98/Me that allows those OSes to access NTFS partitions. The freeware version is read only, but it would allow you to have access to your data:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfswin98.shtml

I'll give that driver a shot.

If that doesn't work, would upgrading her computer to winXP solve the problem? I'd have to drop 100 bucks or so for a copy of it, but she could use it anyway.

 

[Vcize]

Ok, tried out that driver, the drive shows up now in 'My Computer' but when I try and open it it says it's not formatted and asks if I would like to format it now, and won't let me open it without formatting.

I don't want to lose the data on it however, and won't formatting it kill all the data on it?

 

[SergeC]

Yes, formatting would indeed kill all the data on it.

Installing XP on that PC should fix the problem altogether, but I hate to suggest things that cost $$.

 

[Vcize]

Originally posted by: SergeMan
Yes, formatting would indeed kill all the data on it.

Installing XP on that PC should fix the problem altogether, but I hate to suggest things that cost $$.

Well I may be able to get my hands on a PC that a buddy of mine has that I don't think he's using right now that has XP on it. I'm gonna give that a shot.

Any idea why that driver made it ask me to reformat to get into it?

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

you can use partition magic to convert the partition from NTFS to FAT32, if you still have acess to your old computer. After converting it, you can then move it to your gf's computer and everything should be ok

 

[Vcize]

Originally posted by: unfalliblekrutch
you can use partition magic to convert the partition from NTFS to FAT32, if you still have acess to your old computer. After converting it, you can then move it to your gf's computer and everything should be ok

Old computer is out of commission for a while (mobo died), so I'm gonna try and get my hands on a PC with WinXP to at least burn some of the stuff off this drive.

 

[xgsound]

The ideal solution would be to find someone with an WINXP setup and burner. This would have the best posssiblity of success with the least amount of unknowns.

An upgrade from WINME to WINXP could? be a project in itself.

The flying penguin always has insightful info, but do not format the drive with data.

If you are stuck otherwise, how about going to the local computer shop and for $20 ask them to burn some data for you ?

Too late now, but for the future some ideas; 1. format the data drive in fat32 for easier recovery. 2. create a bartpe disk (this is a project too) for recovery

Jim

 

[Vcize]

Well I got my hands on a PC with XP on it and it recognized the drive fine. Thanks for the help everyone!