External HDD?

jaigee · 11-17-2005, 07:37 PM

Hi,

I am intending to use an old 20GB HDD from my previous system as an external device for extra storage by using an IDE to USB2 adapter cable and power adapter.

The HDD was taken out from the old system as a fully working drive, i.e. without deleting anything at all etc.. My question is when I initially connect this to my present system in this state will it foul up anything, i.e. try to boot the system etc., before I can delete all the old sytem files etc. from it?

My present system is running XP SP2 and my previous one was 98 SE. If it is of any relevance, I am already running one enclosure mounted external HDD off usb.

Thanks in advance.

suprasteve · 11-17-2005, 11:37 PM

I doubt that it will try to read the drive and boot from it, if anything you may have a little difficulty getting the computer to read the drive in general. If windows locates two operating systems, often it will ask you which one you want to boot from, so you can choose xp there. If for some reason that doesn't work, you can set your boot priority to the internal hard drive but I doubt you will have to get that involved. However, I would suggest against using an old 20GB drive, I would look into getting a larger, newer drive.

jaigee · 11-18-2005, 06:56 PM

Thanks suprasteve, answers my question completely and some sound advice as well

11-17-2005, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
jaigee New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	External HDD? Hi, I am intending to use an old 20GB HDD from my previous system as an external device for extra storage by using an IDE to USB2 adapter cable and power adapter. The HDD was taken out from the old system as a fully working drive, i.e. without deleting anything at all etc.. My question is when I initially connect this to my present system in this state will it foul up anything, i.e. try to boot the system etc., before I can delete all the old sytem files etc. from it? My present system is running XP SP2 and my previous one was 98 SE. If it is of any relevance, I am already running one enclosure mounted external HDD off usb. Thanks in advance. Last edited by jaigee; 11-17-2005 at 07:49 PM.

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11-17-2005, 11:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
suprasteve Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,355	I doubt that it will try to read the drive and boot from it, if anything you may have a little difficulty getting the computer to read the drive in general. If windows locates two operating systems, often it will ask you which one you want to boot from, so you can choose xp there. If for some reason that doesn't work, you can set your boot priority to the internal hard drive but I doubt you will have to get that involved. However, I would suggest against using an old 20GB drive, I would look into getting a larger, newer drive.

11-18-2005, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
jaigee New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks suprasteve, answers my question completely and some sound advice as well