How do I save hard drive data?

[Guest_imported]

Firstly, I'm not a computer whiz so please excuse my ignorance

My computer was a 233 with 4.2gb hard drive, running Win98 (first edition). Had to replace motherboard etc, have a second hand 166mhz (from system which ran win95B) and am wanting to know if it's possible to use the same 4.2gb hard drive without having to reformatt and lose important files? If so, how is this done? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CitrixEngineer]

The bottom line is that if you replace low-level system components (CPU, motherboard, RAM), then you should always reformat the hard disk and re-install the operating system.

However, I'm guilty of just sticking in these sort of components because I can never be bothered to reformat immediately. I always do this eventually, however, for the performance gains.

It should work simply by plugging the old disk into the IDE of the new mobo - but be aware that it might not - and you will definitely see lots of "Windows has found new hardware" messages.

If you're going to do this, my advice is, as soon as you've got it up and running, back up all your important data and reformat/re-install.

Of course, in an ideal world you would have backed up the data from the machine the disk was previously installed in

I hope this helps CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[edfair]

I would only add that I would recommend that you boot to safe mode and remove all hardware specific items related to the M/B via device manager before you let it come up and find new hardware. Possibly could save you some grief. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Guest_imported]

Thanks! I'll give it a go.
CE...I did back up the data, but, the last 2 days worth I didn't get around to it, I have learnt my lesson tho