How to move a used hard drive into a different computer?

[terminator]

Hey all

So I have an old computer that I want to get rid of but I would like to save the hard drive and files and put it in my newer computer. The old HD has a installation of windows xp on it, my newer comp is win 7.

Some help would be most appreciated.

 

[voyagerfan99]

You can just stick it right in your computer as it is. Just be sure the HDD priority is set to the drive with Win7 on it. (May need another SATA/IDE cable though since computers don't usually come with extras). Once inside Windows you will be able to access the files on that drive.

 

[terminator]

ah Thanks!

but how do I set the priority? I have everything needed to plug it in.

 

[voyagerfan99]

ah Thanks!

but how do I set the priority? I have everything needed to plug it in.

It's in the BIOS.

 

[terminator]

Could you give me a little more info on how to do that?

 

[Wolfeymole]

Which connections does your old XP drive have in this picture?

Top or bottom?

http://morechristlike.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sata-ide.jpg

 

[voyagerfan99]

Which connections does your old XP drive have in this picture?

Top or bottom?

http://morechristlike.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sata-ide.jpg

Not relevant to his question. That's already covered.

Every BIOS is different. Just look around for something that says "Hard Drive Priority" or "Hard Drive Boot Priority".

 

[Wolfeymole]

Of course it is relevant, can you tell me where it has been stated that the hdd is either sata or ide?

It may well be that the new machine does not possess any IDE connections.

 

[voyagerfan99]

Of course it is relevant, can you tell me where it has been stated that the hdd is either sata or ide?

It may well be that the new machine does not possess any IDE connections.

You don't need a direct answer. He already said he has everything he needs.

but how do I set the priority? I have everything needed to plug it in.

 

[Wolfeymole]

You are not even aware of just what he has connections wise.

I suggest we await a reply from Terminator.

 

[terminator]

Its the top one in the picture, which is IDE right? I do have a plug thing for that on my mobo.

Ok so I should power down the comp unplug everything install the HD then boot the comp up, open BIOS, set the priority and that's it. right?

Oh and another thing is just remembered I have another hard drive that is could use. its an IDE as well. I have a IDE cord that has 3 plug things, could I plug that into the mobo and two HD's? (theres only one IDE on my board)

 

[johnb35]

Yes, on both questions but you have to set the jumpers correctly on the drive. Either both have to be set as cable select or one has to master and the other slave or windows won't read them.

 

[terminator]

Ok thanks John!

 

[terminator]

Ok so I got them both plugged in, one master and one slave but the comp was not detecting ether of them so I unplugged the slave and it detected the master and worked fine. so yeah idk if im doing something wrong, any ideas?

 

[voyagerfan99]

Ok so I got them both plugged in, one master and one slave but the comp was not detecting ether of them so I unplugged the slave and it detected the master and worked fine. so yeah idk if im doing something wrong, any ideas?

Did you double check the jumper settings? One set as master and another set as slave?

If so and the problem still occurs, then your old drive might be defective.

 

[terminator]

Ok I know what jumpers are now (thought they were something else) the jumper thing is missing on the hard drive I was using for the slave. which is fine, im happy with just the two.

Thanks for the help all!

 

[voyagerfan99]

Glad you got it working :good: