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Possible to install Windows on another harddrive?

Sonikku

Sonikku

Lifer
I have dial up and as a result I was forced to pay for windows. 🙁 Anyways, when I first installed windows I only had my old 8gb hdd from my compaq from 1999. Soon after, I got a 80gig seagate drive. However, every time I try to save something it always picks the C drive (the old, slow hdd) I've tried transfering all the files from the C drive to the new drive, but it doesn't work. Also, for many games they simply refuse to install on any other drive then the C drive, like Elder Scrolls 3. So I'm thinking of installing windows XP on the new 80gig harddrive. However I heard from someone that installing Windows XP on the new drive, while solving the problem with format the drive, deleting everything on it. Is there a way to install windows on the new drive while keeping all of my files intact? There is plenty of space. I just want to get away from using my old compaq drive as it's slow as hell.
 
Originally posted by: Sonikku
I have dial up and as a result I was forced to pay for windows. 🙁 Anyways, when I first installed windows I only had my old 8gb hdd from my compaq from 1999. Soon after, I got a 80gig seagate drive. However, every time I try to save something it always picks the C drive (the old, slow hdd) I've tried transfering all the files from the C drive to the new drive, but it doesn't work. Also, for many games they simply refuse to install on any other drive then the C drive, like Elder Scrolls 3. So I'm thinking of installing windows XP on the new 80gig harddrive. However I heard from someone that installing Windows XP on the new drive, while solving the problem with format the drive, deleting everything on it. Is there a way to install windows on the new drive while keeping all of my files intact? There is plenty of space. I just want to get away from using my old compaq drive as it's slow as hell.
Click to expand...

I have been there and done that! I have also Fixed all of that before.
    1. You need a program that can make an identical clone of the old hard drive and copy it to the new hard drive. I used Ontrack Disk Manager to make a Perfect Transistion when I upgraded from a 40GB Samsung to a 200GB Hitachi 7k250.
      http://www.ontrack.com/diskmanager/

      Simply Copying the Hdd using windows does not copy all of the files needed to operate the PC: registry entries, hidden, system files, and other important things get left behind. Proper Software should be used.
    2. Now that Leaves you with the problem of programs trying to install to the old Drive. This is a registry error/entry .Microsoft Tweak UI for 95-98-ME-2000 Fixes that and allows you to choose the Default drive that all programs get installed to. Windows XP uses a differant version of Tweak UI.
    3. After the Drives have been cloned it will be time for you to open up your computer and change swap the locations of the HDD's. If the 8GB is a Master on the First Channel then you will need to un-plug it and set the 80GB as the Master (or slave it the old drive was slave; CS/Cable Select the just swap location- no jumpers). Boot the computer.
    4. To my Knowledge this applys only to 2000/XP/2003 users- After the computer has rebooted Right Click on MyComputer--->Select Manage--->Disk Management----> In the top right window find the 8GB Drive then right Click on it---> Select Change Drive Letter and Path then Change it to Z:\ (or any other letter not in use)---> Repeat the Last Step but change the 80GB drive to C:\ and reboot the Computer.

    You can install mulitple copies of windows the same drive or multiple hard drives as you so desire.

    If the Computer does not boot then you may need to edit the BOOT.INI file, located in the Root Directory of your primary hard drive (most likely the 80GB).
 
I'm using Windows XP, but this has more to do with me just making my new drive the C drive then anything else.
 
Am I missing something here - every HD manufacturer has an utility to completely copy an old drive to a new one: you may have to first copy some files to your C drive, shut down, open the case and set the new drive as a slave, restart and clone, shut down, set new drive as boot drive and the old one as slave or remove it, then restart. All these utilities are just as good as Ghost/driveimage etc. OEM drives dont come bundled with a CD but retail kits do for a few $ more or you you can always download it from HD man.'s website.
 
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