How do I open files in slave hard drive?

[Wendy D]

I just installed an old hard drive on my computer. It is the slave (ME) and the master is Windows XP home.

The BIOS recognizes the slave and I can open it and read some files but I can't open and read some of the programs, such as Power Point. It says "Windows cannot open this file. What do you want to do use web program or select program from a list".

When I unplug the master and use only the slave I can open all the programs and files no problem. Of course all the icons are on the screen if I am using only the slave. When I have both hard drives connected I don't get icons with the slave hard drive. Is it possible to view it that way?

What do I need to do to open these files and programs?

[HyperTF]

It sounds like you are actually trying to run powerpoint itself from the old drive... it could be trying to reference files from your C: drive...

If I am understanding your problem correctly it sounds like you don't have MS Office installed on your C: Drive... if not I think this is the likely remedy.

Edit: When you say you don't get icons, do you mean you don't get recognisable ones as in with the identifible pictures realting to the program itself, or you don't get icons at all?

[Panama Red]

By switching hard drives you're using two different os's. In order to see the files with the XP hard drive acting as master, you'll need the Power Point program installed on that hard drive. Or you can download Power Point Viewer from Microsoft if you only want to view the files without making any changes. And Welcome to PC Mech.

[Wendy D]

Thanks for the quick responses! I didn't realize that. If I make xp the slave I would have the same problems?

It all started when my hard drive crashed and I lost everything. I had Power Point and Microsoft office, among other programs, and lost them all.

So I guess if I want to edit in Power Point I have to make the slave the master? Is there anything out there that would allow me to switch between the master and slave without unplugging every time? I saw something on line that looks like it might work. It's called NickLock hard driver switch. http://www.dansdata.com/nicklock.htm
but don't know the risks involved. Have you any experience with this item? Or information? Or any other possible fixes?

[HyperTF]

IMO, if you swapped XP as slave you would be going backwards. It would be best if you install MS Office on your XP drive and then you can view files over both drives... Your master drive is really the workhorse, so it really needs to be home to most, if not all your major applications.

As for that product, I have no experience there, all I can say is that if you keep to the 'keep it simple stupid (KISS)' rule you will have less headaches in the end. The more that is there, the more that can go wrong!

[Wendy D]

Well I took the plunge, ordered NickLock and installed it. It works like a charm!!!