Adding second hard drive to retrieve files

jonnymeldrum

Hi

Due to a BSOD problem I am going to do a clean install of XP. However, first I need to get the files onto my other computer, unfortunately I only backed up on the hard drive itself. Now I have read a decent amount of info about adding a second hard drive but most of these are as if it is a blank hard drive and you need to format and partion the drive.

Does anyone have any info or advice on how to add a second hard drive, then retrieve the files?

Xp by the way

Jonny

jonnymeldrum

Does anyone have any advice?
It would be greatly appreciated.

Blackjack_Davy

Yes, change the link on the back of your hard drive from Master to Slave then change it from the 1st socket on the IDE lead to the 2nd. Plug your new drive onto the 1st socket.

Then install XP which will be on the new drive and all your files etc will be accessible on the 2nd drive. Or place the old drive into your other computer in the same way. Hope this helps.

jonnymeldrum

Thanks for your reply.
I am actually just adding the hard drive to a second PC. Will the PC automatically recognise the drive and show up as say a drive?

newfoundglory

Agreed. However, I probably wouldn't leave the second drive connected until after you install windows. Simply disconnect the old drive. Set the new drive to primary master, and install windows. After install, shut down and reconnect the old drive as primary slave. It should be accessible when windows has booted.

espresso

I don't really understand your problem. You need to fit the drive that you want to recover the files from, as a slave drive in your 'other computer', which is very similar to fitting an additional hard drive. Because your original drive is already formated and has your data on it, you just don't do the formating and partitioning.

Blackjack_Davy

jonnymeldrum wrote:

Thanks for your reply.
I am actually just adding the hard drive to a second PC. Will the PC automatically recognise the drive and show up as say a drive?

Yes. Just install it, boot up the PC and voila! There it will be.

newfoundglory

Also, if you use an encrypted ntfs filesystem, make sure you backup your local keys.

jonnymeldrum

Right thanks a lot.

codetown

Without redoing the XP install you could use the Restore XP Tool and Roll that HD back to a few days before (it will actually reput things in place as they were until it worked!). This is a great often forgot feature in XP.

To access it even when your PC seems died, you need to keep pressing F8 as soon as you switch your PC on. A menu will come up (before Windows loads) asking if you want to start Windows in Safe Mode etc. One of the options will be Roll Back.

I used it when the situation seemed desperate and it worked great!

jonnymeldrum

Thanks for your reply, but I have tried all that before.