Hard Disk issues - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/14/2006 12:30:08 AM · #1

Hi
I am about to change my hard disk. I small issue. When install new hard disk , i make that primary fine. I want to make this my existing hard disk as secondary,issue bothering me is that when install my current hard disk as secondary or slave harddisk how will my PC react as this secondary hard disk will also have OS. I am not formatting my old hard disk till i am able to copy all data into new

_eug

Nikon D50

07/14/2006 12:46:43 AM · #2

Your question is kinda vague and I (as a computer guy) have no idea how to answer it. Can you be more specific about what you're doing?

07/14/2006 12:55:15 AM · #3

Sorry about being vague.

I plan to to change my hard disk and use my existing hard disk as Secondary hard disk.( i am not sure secondary is the right word).

My intention are that my new hard disk will have OS and programmes etc. I also want to use my existing hard disk as secondary or slave (what ever is the right term).

I have not copied data from existing hard disk to any source so i wont format it.
So i was thinking how will PC react when it has 2 hard disk and both have OS

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/14/2006 01:46:21 AM · #4

bump

tmhalling

Nikon D200

07/14/2006 01:49:24 AM · #5

Ok...How are you planning to transfer one hard disk to another? What software are you going to use to clone the disk over to the new one?

Message edited by author 2006-07-14 01:49:35.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/14/2006 01:52:38 AM · #6

Cannot i simply copyfolders from old hard disk to new .I mean when both are attached to pc

Message edited by author 2006-07-14 01:55:22.

tmhalling

Nikon D200

07/14/2006 02:00:30 AM · #7

No you can't. The MBR - master boot record and system files reside on what is called the active partition. You will need to either install Windows or whatever operating system you are using fresh and re-install all of your programs or use a program like Acronis
to copy everything over. If you decide to use Acronis or any other software to copy the hard disk over you need to make sure your jumpers are set correctly. Your hard disk should come with instructions on how to do this. Additionally before you clear the old disk you need to make sure that it is not set as the system disk. You can find out by viewing the disk in your computer management settings in Windows XP. If you are using another operating system the procedure is a little different.

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/14/2006 02:01:57 AM · #8

Ok. I understand. You'll need to change the drives jumpers to make it a slave and the other set to master. This much I think you understand.

As for the issue of 2 disks with OSs on them, the master is the one that the hardware cares about. the second is just considered DATA. The hardware starts the OS from the primary (aka master) hard drive and igonores the other one.

HTH

error99

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/14/2006 02:07:03 AM · #9

Are you installing a fresh OS install on the new drive? If so, set your new drive (C drive) as boot disc in bios, after the OS install. Set the slave (probably E drive) as slave. Make sure you have the correct pins selected on both, ie: one set as master, the other as slave. Your computer will boot off C drive and not care about the slave having an OS. Add the slave after you setup the new drive OS.

If you want to copy your exsisting drive "as is" to the new one you will need a program such as Partition Magic.

You're really better off with a fresh OS install and going from there.

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/14/2006 02:11:04 AM · #10

What error99 said...

tmhalling

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/14/2006 02:11:16 AM · #11

Originally posted by error99:

I disagree...Acronis does a great job of copying an entire partition to a new disk.

error99

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/14/2006 02:14:09 AM · #12

Originally posted by tmhalling:

Originally posted by error99:
Are you installing a fresh OS install on the new drive? If so, set your new drive (C drive) as boot disc in bios, after the OS install. Set the slave (probably E drive) as slave. Make sure you have the correct pins selected on both, ie: one set as master, the other as slave. Your computer will boot off C drive and not care about the slave having an OS. Add the slave after you setup the new drive OS.

If you want to copy your exsisting drive "as is" to the new one you will need a program such as Partition Magic.

You're really better off with a fresh OS install and going from there.

I disagree...Acronis does a great job of copying an entire partition to a new disk.

It's a great program. But, if you're dealing with a drive that has 2-3 years of "garbage" installed on it a fresh install will do wonders for performance.