New Build Question (HDD)

[NUFC_4_EVA]

Soon i will be building a new computer and have a query about hard drives. I have already been told that the hard drive i currently have (IDE 80GB in a Dell Dimension 8200) will work with a SATA hard drive in the new computer. What i was wondering is if i was to install windows to the new SATA hard drive would i be able to leave the IDE drive as slave without reformatting it. It would mean i would be able to keep all the information i have currently installed on the drive and have it on the new system and more importantly my music .

One problem that i believe that might happen with this is that the computer will not be happy having 2 copies of the operating sytem on two different hard drives. Also if this was to work with having two hard drives would i have to store certain information on one and other information on the other hard drive as this is what i have heard. For example the SATA drive with the OS on it and any general documents and games installed on it and the IDE drive with music on.

Thanks for any help with this topic
NUFC

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by NUFC_4_EVA What i was wondering is if i was to install windows to the new SATA hard drive would i be able to leave the IDE drive as slave without reformatting it.

Yes.

Originally Posted by NUFC_4_EVA It would mean i would be able to keep all the information i have currently installed on the drive and have it on the new system and more importantly my music .

Yes, your data will remain intact.

Originally Posted by NUFC_4_EVA One problem that i believe that might happen with this is that the computer will not be happy having 2 copies of the operating sytem on two different hard drives.

No, it won't be a problem. The older hard drive will be viewed as a storage drive. Just don't install it in the computer until after you install the OS on the SATA hard drive.

Originally Posted by NUFC_4_EVA Also if this was to work with having two hard drives would i have to store certain information on one and other information on the other hard drive as this is what i have heard. For example the SATA drive with the OS on it and any general documents and games installed on it and the IDE drive with music on.

You can pretty much store data files where ever you want to. You can also install programs to which ever hard drive you want to but if you have to reformat and reinstall the OS on the SATA hard drive you're going to have to reinstall all the games and programs again. I think it's best to keep programs with the OS on the same partition.

Cricket

[jayb1234]

Also, you could do it this way.

1: Install the SATA drive and install your OS and programs on it.

2: Install the old one.

3: Transfer whatever files you want to keep to the SATA drive.

4: Reformat the old one to a single partition.

5: Return any files you want to the old one.

[NUFC_4_EVA]

Thanks cricket and jayb1234 now im sure i am ready to build a PC
Thanks again for all the help
NUFC