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Adding Second HDD but... 1

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JSD7878

JSD7878

Technical User
Jan 13, 2007
76
US
Ok here's my setup:
Intel Core Duo E6850
Abit IP35pro
Western Digital 80GB Raptor
Vistas 32


Here's the deal I filled up the 80GB Raptor fast, and the bottom line it's way too noisy and the speed difference for accessing information isn't noticeable to me.

What I would like to do is slave a new 320GB Drive but would like to take out the primary 80GB Raptor drive and make the new slave primary, can I do this?

Thanks


 
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Sure, but you'll have to reload Windows. Easiest way would be to make an image of your current drive with Ghost or Acronis or (?). Swap the drives out, and restore the image onto the new drive. Then expand the partition with Partition Magic or some such.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 
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JSD7878

This is a simple operation for disk-imaging programs that support cloning to a different-sized drive. I recommend Ghost 2003, but I believe Acronis True Image, Drive Image, and HDClone all support this function. I own all the above programs but until Ghost 2003 fails to do what I need it to do I will continue using it as it is VERY easy to use. I do this operation all the time when an office PC's HDD starts to make the whining sounds of death.

You simply connect the second drive to the PC (IDE or SATA) and run the "Advanced" Wizard in Windows, MAKE SURE YOU ARE CLONING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION and let 'er rip. Catch it before Windows reboots at the end of the procedure then disconnect your old drive, set the remaining drive to Master if IDE, and that's that. Some people swear by command-line operation but until the in-Windows utility fails I will stick to what works for me.

I have done this with RAID arrays as well as solo system drives. If the procedure fails you will know immediately as the machine will fail to boot, but you SHOULD have the original drive untouched.

Tony

Users helping Users...
 
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It is a bit unclear to me what you are asking, but I assume you want to transfer all data from the Raptor to the new drive, remove the Raptor and use the new drive in its place.

If the above is what you want to do, then you will want some cloning software to transfer the data from the Raptor to the new drive. Check the website of the new drive manufacturer for this, or if you are getting a retail package, perhaps it'll be included with your new drive.

You are not specifying what type of interface your old and new drives are, IDE or SATA. If both are IDE then you would temporarily lose access to your DVD or CD-ROM drive as the motherboard you have has only one IDE interface. You will need to be able to boot the cloning software from other than the DVD or CD drive in this case.
 
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So I don't have to reload vistas?
 
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Looks like LawnBoy jumped in while I was hunting & pecking...

Just to be clear, I have NEVER had to expand the partition after cloning with Ghost 2003. Windows recognizes all the new space. It can also clone to a smaller drive, as long as the data fits.

Tony

Users helping Users...
 
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The old drive is SATA, and yes Freestone your first thought is exactly what I want to do.
 
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SATA is a jumperless interface, your only caveat is to make sure your data is going in the right direction. It should be obvious when you are looking at the two volumes (one will be larger). Here's a free app:


or use the OEM app from the drivemaker, as Freestone suggests. Me, I still prefer Ghost 2003. </pimping>

Tony

Users helping Users...
 
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So if I clone I wont need to reload windows or reload software?
 
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If you clone you will not need to reload anything.

Be sure to heed the Tony's advice: MAKE SURE YOU ARE CLONING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

You don't want to clone an empty drive onto your current drive!

Is the new drive IDE or SATA? I ask because if it is IDE you may need to change the boot order in BIOS to include the IDE drive.
 
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new drive is also sata thanks so much.
 
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Good luck, let us know how it goes. You will need to reboot after you boot to the clone for the first time, as you will get a message "Windows has finished installing new devices, please reboot" referring to your new drive.

Tony

Users helping Users...
 
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Yeah, my instructions were for if you didn't have cloning ability.

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 
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I just did this with Acronis
not clone but move drive
it will move the contents to and make a partition the same size has orignial drive
then on boot point to drive in bios as 1st boot
 
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