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Thread ID: 105632 2009-12-09 01:59:00 Copying C-To-C When They Both Contain i386 files? SurferJoe46 (51) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
838024 2009-12-09 01:59:00 Help!

I want to get all my old but very much desired files off an older hdd that was/is still enumerated "C" when I already have a "C" drive and they both have XP-P on them .

If I install the old "C" - I just get a DOS screen that goes nowhere . I cannot even get to my BIOS . It just sits there .

I tried CABLE SELECT, Primary/Slave, IDE and ATA bus, the whole enchilada .

Any ideas?

Did I mention that it just sits there?
SurferJoe46 (51)
838025 2009-12-09 03:05:00 Try connecting the Old Drive as Salve, then reboot into the BIOS, double check the boot drive is the "working" one and not the slaved one, that should allow windows to boot, and show the old drive, its drive letter will change. wainuitech (129)
838026 2009-12-09 03:15:00 Will the files then be re-associated and addressable? If I ask for 'XXX' and it WAS on C, and it's now on D - can it be found by Explorer? SurferJoe46 (51)
838027 2009-12-09 03:26:00 Yep - as long as the file/ Drive is not something like a mapped drive.

Heres an example - this PC is Dual boot, W7 & Vista (www.imagef1.net.nz) -- When I boot into W7, that drive is listed as C with Vista as D - the files in Vista are completely available to be read, copied deleted what ever.

When I boot into Vista - that becomes C and W7 is now D - like wise every thing still works.

IF you copied files from your drive D to the working C, as long as you have the associated program to open them on C, eg a PDF reader for a PDF file, it will open perfectly.

OR you can open a file in D from C once again as long as the program is on C ( the working drive).
wainuitech (129)
838028 2009-12-09 06:02:00 Yeah, keep BOTH drives connected simultaneously, using your usual (newer) drive as MASTER on the primary channel (IDE0), and the other drive set as SLAVE, connected either on the same cable to IDE0, or the secondary (IDE1) channel. Keeping the old drive as slave helps to prevent the system becoming confused as to which to boot from.

If you don't have a spare spot on the cable or a free cable, use the cables to your CD/DVD for the old drive. Red strip goes to pin 1 end if the cable isn't keyed in the middle.

Then, just as Wainui said, you may have to go into the BIOS (depends on the age of the system) to ensure that the drive is recognised, and that the IDE channel is properly enabled. Given that they're of the XP generation you will probably not need to do anything other than ensure IDE1 (secondary IDE) is enabled.

DANGER !! Beware moving OS files across - if you change OS files from one system to another it can cause major woes. The safest bet is to put the lot into a new folder that your existing system (particularly the Registry) has never referred to. ie do NOT move files from D:\Windows to C:\Windows - that is a recipe for disaster.

However, creating a new destination folder such as C:\From old Drive is fine. Then you can copy D:\Windows to C:\From old Drive\Windows.

Various other folders need the same care... Documents and Settings, Program Files
Paul.Cov (425)
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