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How do you set up a "2nd" hard drive?

Hi. I got some bad news yesterday. My PC is ~ 5.5 years old, and the hard drive (HD) has developed "bad sectors." Apparently, whenever the HD operates and it "hits" a bad sector, it then "skips" and creates MORE of them... So, I bought a replacement hard drive last night. I'm somewhat computer literate, by the way (Minor in Computer Applications). I'm pretty sure that I can "copy over" my data files, with no problem. My questions are: 1. What about the "hidden" files? Do I try and click on "C:" and create a "mirror" of the drive, on my new E:? 2. How about installing the operating system (Windows 2k)? Do that from CDs? 3. Lastly, how do I let the computer / BIOS know, that once I have Win 2K up on my E:, that I want to use that as my start-up (I think "master") drive? Please be DETAILED, in your reply! Thanks a lot for any guidance you can provide! Kurt

Public Comments

Why don't you use pendrive it can do it more easy or burn into CD or DVD.However,if you still want to built up second hardisk open you cpu then put it under the hardisk then use other power supply then you can use it.

Firstly what you can do is remove the badsector hardisk from the system & install the the new hard disk After u install the os in newhardisk.Remove cddrive connector & cable connect it to your old harddisk.boot the system copy the datas what ever it might be & then shutdown the pc remove oldharddisk connect cdrom.system is ready.

Kurt 1st your new HD set it's jumper to MASTER and old drive to SLAVE.
2 Now INSTALL YOUR WIN 2K ON YOUR NEW DRIVE
BOOT YOUR WIN 2K
3 once done you be able to read DATA from your previous old drive.
4 FOR HIDDEN FILES CLICK ON FOLDER AND PROPERTIES.
5 CLICK ON SHOW HIDDEN FILE
6 ONCE YOU HAVE RETRIEVE YOUR DATA THEN RE-FORMAT THAT HD

if i were you i would install a new operating system on the new hard drive and just copy all the files you want off the old hard drive.
first of all would remove the old hard drive then install the new one
insert a windows xp boot disk and install windows xp onto that hard drive.
on the back of the old drive there should be some connecters, one saying slave and master. if you change the connecter to slave then this disk can then be used for storage only and not booted off of.
then copy all data that you want to keep off the drive and then erase the disk using the format tool.
now you should have two hard drives.
you dont need to change the bios in any way i dont think.
hope this helps

1. First, you need to know your motherboard setting (you need to plug in your new drive to the slave spot. You may have to set the "jumpers" on the back of the new drive to set it as slave. Read the documentation that came with the new drive to do this.
**** When messing with the inside of the computer be careful of static, always be touching the metal frame before handling the electronics. Most BIOS will automatically configure on new boot.
2. Purchase a "PC relocator program" -one compatable with WIN2000- read the instructions and it will copy your old C: to your new drive.
3. Once you copy (using the relocator program) open the computer back up remove the Old drive. Plug the new drive into the master spot (cable). Reset the jumpers on the back of the new drive to be the master. and reboot.

make the new drive master and make the old drive a slave do not copy over or image the drive it will make the new drive have bad sectors in it too. Just copy your your files,hidden files are normaly system files just install OS on new hard copy.
David

Kurt 1st your new HD set it's jumper to MASTER and old drive to SLAVE.
2 Now INSTALL YOUR WIN 2K ON YOUR NEW DRIVE
BOOT YOUR WIN 2K
3 once done you be able to read DATA from your previous old drive.
4 FOR HIDDEN FILES CLICK ON FOLDER AND PROPERTIES.
5 CLICK ON SHOW HIDDEN FILE
6 ONCE YOU HAVE RETRIEVE YOUR DATA THEN RE-FORMAT THAT HD