I want to hide my second Hard Drive

Question

I have a Dimension 8200 with 2 HDs on the same IDE. I want to hide the second HD so that Windows XP doesn't even know it exists when I boot. Later I want to turn it back on. I do not want to open the case and unplug the HD. How?

micmaxe · Answer

Enter your BIOS (system setup program) and turn off Primary Drive 1. When you are ready to use it again, just turn it back on.

pgesler · Answer

I did exactly as you said but when I go to My Computer I still see the 2nd HD.

I even rebooted a couple of times and did a F2 to enter setup to make sure the 2nd HD was off but when I reboot the 2nd HD is still there and the files are still accessable.

alero90 · Answer

right-click MY COMPUTER choose MANAGE. find DISK MANAGEMENT from within STORAGE.

right-click your drive in question and choose "Chane drive letters and paths..." from there you can 'Remove' the drive letter and the drive will not show up in MY COMPUTER.

alero90 · Answer

follow the same process but 'adding' letter this time from within  'CHANGE DRIVE LETTER AND PATH...' DO NOT MESS WITH 'C' DRIVE LETTER.

pgesler · Answer

How will I get the drive letter(s) back again later?

pgesler · Answer

I assume that hiding a drive letter will not change (or delete) any of the partitions on the HD?

Storage, Drives & Media

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