installing a 3rd hard drive need help

Well how would I transfer the data from the 20g to the new hard drive? Also what about installing a secondary PCI card would be so difficult? Since you said it would be more simple to not do that. Plus the fact that another card would allow me to install even more HD space down the line so why not just do it now? Thanks for the reply though. But yeah I still don't know how I would transfer the 20gig to the new HD without having it installed. There is only 2gigs left on my master 60g drive. Anymore info would be helpful.

Thanks,

Jeff

I would dump the data from the 20 gigger to a new 120GB HD.  Forget about the PCI controller.  Keep it simple.  The PC should also support a 200GB HD.

F.

Ahh ok I had already thought about that it just got a bit confusing along the way. I fill up space fast so I thought it would be best to keep them all. But I wasnt aware of all the differences you mentioned as far as heating and speed and what not. Thanks your help has been greatly appreciated it. One last thing. What software or where do I find the program that will copy my 60g master to the 120g(or whatever i buy most likely 120g tho). I assume my windows XP has something but I don't recall coming across it. Also is there perhaps a better software out there for doing this sort of thing. I would hate to lose all the information I have during the cloning process. Do you know what the chance of it messing up is? Anyways thanks for all the help so far it is appreciated more than you know. I've been out of the computer scene for about 10 years and back then I knew what I was doing but 10 years human time is 100 years computer time ;) Anyways thanks again and if you can guide me to the program that would clone the master drive that would be great...

Thanks again and take care,

Jeff

Remove the 20GB HD and replace it with the new HD.  Use the supplied software from the HD mfr. to clone the data from the 60GB HD to the new HD (120GB or larger).  Remove the 60GB HD and replace it with the new HD.  Make sure the new HD boots.  Put back the 20GB HD (slave on the primary IDE channel).  Transfer data from the 20GB HD to the new HD.  Replace the 20GB HD with the 60GB HD.  Format the 60GB HD as required.

Why stick to the onboard ATA controller?  Generally, the performance is better with ONBOARD ATA controller.  You don't loose a PCI slot.  Less heat.  Less noise.  Less power draw from the PS.  I could go on....  There will be much better technology down the road when you fill up the 120 and 60 GB HDs.  Why spend more $ now when you don't have to.

F.

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BMischief wrote:
One last thing. What software or where do I find the program that will copy my 60g master to the 120g(or whatever i buy most likely 120g tho). I assume my windows XP has something but I don't recall coming across it. Also is there perhaps a better software out there for doing this sort of thing.

Thanks again and take care,

Jeff

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Try Norton Ghost.  There are several good cloning softwares available.  Check your local CompUSA, Staples, Circuit City or other PC store.

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@BMischief wrote:
Also one other question concerning it. My master drive(the 60gb) is a NTFS drive and the secondary 20gb drive is a FAT32. If I use the methdon described by Francis and copy the master 60gb NTFS drive to the new 120gb(the one I am buying) then put it into the master position. Then put the 20gb(the FAT32 drive) and try to copy it over to the new master drive(which I assume would be NTFS cus the 60 was)will the fact that the 20gb is FAT32 cause any trouble in copying it over to the new master drive? I assume not but I want to make sure I know as much as I can before doing it this way. I have installed things before I just don't know much about the differences between a NTFS drive and a FAT32 so I did'nt want there to be a conflict. Thanks very much for all the help so far and any further responses.

Thanks,

Jeff

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Assuming that your 20Gb HDD is for Data Staorage only, you can simply open it and drag the files across to the new HDD.  Doing this, it will make no difference what format it's in.  You will need to format the new HDD prior to ghosting the old HDD to it.  I would always recommend NTFS (New Technology File System) as it's more stable than FAT16 (File Allocation Table up to 16Gb) FAT32 (File Allocation Table up to 32Gb).  NTFS is far more stable than FAT.  In the case of a sudden power loss, NTFS is less likely to lose data.

Also one other question concerning it. My master drive(the 60gb) is a NTFS drive and the secondary 20gb drive is a FAT32. If I use the methdon described by Francis and copy the master 60gb NTFS drive to the new 120gb(the one I am buying) then put it into the master position. Then put the 20gb(the FAT32 drive) and try to copy it over to the new master drive(which I assume would be NTFS cus the 60 was)will the fact that the 20gb is FAT32 cause any trouble in copying it over to the new master drive? I assume not but I want to make sure I know as much as I can before doing it this way. I have installed things before I just don't know much about the differences between a NTFS drive and a FAT32 so I did'nt want there to be a conflict. Thanks very much for all the help so far and any further responses.

Thanks,

Jeff

You can also install a quick release HD bracket for the slave HD.  That way, you can pop in a new HD if it is full. 

Norton Ghost is very good, but it costs $.  Go to www.bootitng.com.  This program will partition, clone data.  You have 30 days to try the program.  $35 to keep. 

Once you purchase the HD, go to the HD mfr's website and download a small utility to copy/clone the data.  DO NOT deviate from the instruction.  This is the cheapest solution....  Worst case scenario, you will have to wipe the data in the new HD and start over again.

F.

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@daviddeguzman wrote:

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@BMischief wrote:
Also one other question concerning it. My master drive(the 60gb) is a NTFS drive and the secondary 20gb drive is a FAT32. If I use the methdon described by Francis and copy the master 60gb NTFS drive to the new 120gb(the one I am buying) then put it into the master position. Then put the 20gb(the FAT32 drive) and try to copy it over to the new master drive(which I assume would be NTFS cus the 60 was)will the fact that the 20gb is FAT32 cause any trouble in copying it over to the new master drive? I assume not but I want to make sure I know as much as I can before doing it this way. I have installed things before I just don't know much about the differences between a NTFS drive and a FAT32 so I did'nt want there to be a conflict. Thanks very much for all the help so far and any further responses.

Thanks,

Jeff

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Assuming that your 20Gb HDD is for Data Staorage only, you can simply open it and drag the files across to the new HDD. Doing this, it will make no difference what format it's in. You will need to format the new HDD prior to ghosting the old HDD to it. I would always recommend NTFS (New Technology File System) as it's more stable than FAT16 (File Allocation Table up to 16Gb) FAT32 (File Allocation Table up to 32Gb). NTFS is far more stable than FAT. In the case of a sudden power loss, NTFS is less likely to lose data.

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Another question I was wondering. Since the 60gb is the primary boot drive and the 20gb the slave. I was curious if there was a way I could just simply copy over the 20gb to the new 120gb I'm going to get. That way I could keep my 60gb as my primary and not have to copy it also onto the new drive. I know it was already explained I could remove the 20..put in the new 120 and copy the 60g primary to it and all that. But if there is a way to just copy over the 20 to the new 120g drive that would be alot easier. I'm just wary of having to copy/clone my primary boot drive(the 60g) and if I don't have to I'd rather not. Any advice on this would help although I can't think of a simple way to do it myself.

Thanks
Jeff

You cannot clone the data from the 20GB HD to the new HD without destroying the data in the new HD!  Just stick the 20GB in as a slave and manually transfer the files over to the new HD!

F.

For easy access to files on a hard drive, use the piece of kit mentioned in this thread. It's very cheap and a very handy way of get data to / from any IDE device with the minimum of hassle. It's USB 2.0 as well. One lives in my service box permanently and has paid for itself over and over.

UPDATE - The US site mentioned in the above thread doesn't seem to have a price displayed just now - another US site advertising the product is here.

I certainly wouldn't entertain reinstalling the 20 GB drive - use it as for backup or as a spare drive for moving data using the USB adaptor mentioned above.

Message Edited by gudgeon on 11-15-2003 10:50 AM

Message Edited by gudgeon on 11-15-2003 11:00 AM

I did not even know this device existed! What a great help you have been. Keep up the good work.

doxtr111

Glad to be able to spread a little sunshine! The device is somewhat clunky, in that it has a rather short USB cable & big power supply, but it works a treat. Handiest when the PC has a front mounted USB port, as most do these days.