Manage updates with the Download App
Hi, I want to upgrade hard drive in my desktop, but need to keep working. Is it possible for me to connect the hard drive externally with a data adaptor, change it to my master, install the Operating system, and install what I need onto it, before I insert it into the computer?
Like this
0 people like this thread
Staff pick
Total posts: 6 (Showing page 1 of 1)
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user xemon2000
I'm going with no.
by R. Proffitt 
- 7/8/12 7:25 AM
In Reply to: Changing Hard Drive. by xemon2000
Given the slim detail, someone might be using USB as as you know that is unsupported.
Answer Best answer as chosen by user xemon2000
Not likely
by Willy - 7/8/12 12:10 PM
In Reply to: Changing Hard Drive. by xemon2000
You can't use the ext. drive as master or primary drive. It has to be an int. mounted drive. You can't defeat this or just overlook anything you do may in fact cause problems. The ext. HD shouldn't have an OS installed it will only confuse or refuse to work properly in a windoze setting.
FYI- If the whole idea was to installed a newer drive to replace your current one, then wait until you have it. Once in hand, follow whatever instructions to copy or image copy your old to new drive, thus replacing it. Most HD makers provide the needed s/w and/or gotten from the support website. Once all that is done, remove the old HD for use as ext. HD. Now provided everything works and you do have "back-ups" generated prior to install and/or you feel confident all is well, then re-use the old HD as ext. HD. You can then reformat it, etc or wipe clean and then format it, etc., to be ready for ext. use.
tada -----Willy 
Answer Best answer as chosen by user xemon2000
Changing Hard Drive
by xemon2000 - 7/8/12 12:51 PM
In Reply to: Changing Hard Drive. by xemon2000
Thanks willy, this is what I thought. Just to clarify anyway, I'm running xp sp3, on a dell dimension 5190. An old machine but its suits my needs. There are two hdds.both 149gb. I'm a hobbist using daz3d, and over time, its grown to 100gb, so I currently have 8g free, and thats after deleting a load of stuff I use rarely I'm getting a Seagate 2TB SATA-600 7200rpm 64MB Barracuda. I had thought that maybe I could go into the bios, make it my master, install the os, then change back to the original set up, and continue to install onto the new drive at my leisure. A shot in the dark, but worth asking, I suppose
Easy as pie
by Willy - 7/8/12 6:17 PM
In Reply to: Changing Hard Drive by xemon2000
Seagate will provide the needed s/w I mentioned if you buy the retail "HD kit", if not again they have it at their support website, probably Adonis based. Also, if current setup is 2 HDs mounted, you maybe better off having "two only" one being the new HD and the old "C" primary drive. Using the s/w will provide all you need to get things going. I mention 2 drives only so disconnect(or remove for the time being the old 2nd HD). Once that's all done, remove old "C" drive and then mount new "C" as primary drive as well as the old 2nd drive. If all is done properly it should boot as if nothing happened, but with a new spacious HD. Seagate has instruction, FAQ or guide for all this, just be sure to back-up critical or all data for safekeeping beforehand. Take your time and enjoy your coffee of soda as well.
tada -----Willy
Total posts: 6 (Showing page 1 of 1)
Forum Icon Legend
Unread
Read
Locked thread
-
-
-
-
-
-
Moderator
CNET Staff
Samsung Staff
Norton Authorized Support Team
AVG Staff
avast! Staff
Webroot Support Team
Acer Customer Experience Team
Windows Outreach TeamDISH staff
Dell Staff
Intel Staff
Question
Resolved question
General discussion
Tip
Alert or warning
Praise
Rant
You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject
You are reporting the following post: Post Subject
You are posting a reply to: Post Subject
You are requesting a clarification of the question: Post Subject
You are posting an answer to the question: Post Subject
close
Click here to be notified via e-mail when someone submits an answer.
Would you like to resolve this question? close
