Changing PC. Can I move old hard drive to external enclosure?

[g_glip9]

Is this feasible? (or am I missing something about external hard drive enclosures?):

I need to upgrade my current PC (for speed, not for anything virus related). I would like to save the files (basically, thousands of digital images in a given directory structure) by removing the old harddrive and installing it in an external HD enclosure. This should facilitate getting my old datasets onto the new PC, and would then work as an external drive for backup purposes. The PC is a desktop and the drive is 80G; I imagine it's IDE.

Thank you

 

[MarcosV]

Should work out just fine. One potential issue that may come up with Windows 2000 or XP is that you might have to make some adjustments the storage manager window to have the drive letter come up in explorer.

I would build up your new PC with the old drive disconnected and then attach it.

Is this feasible? (or am I missing something about external hard
drive enclosures?):

I need to upgrade my current PC (for speed, not for anything virus
related). I would like to save the files (basically, thousands of
digital images in a given directory structure) by removing the old
harddrive and installing it in an external HD enclosure. This
should facilitate getting my old datasets onto the new PC, and
would then work as an external drive for backup purposes. The PC is
a desktop and the drive is 80G; I imagine it's IDE.

Thank you

 

[Dennis Lathem49692]

Is this feasible? (or am I missing something about external hard
drive enclosures?):

I need to upgrade my current PC (for speed, not for anything virus
related). I would like to save the files (basically, thousands of
digital images in a given directory structure) by removing the old
harddrive and installing it in an external HD enclosure. This
should facilitate getting my old datasets onto the new PC, and
would then work as an external drive for backup purposes. The PC is
a desktop and the drive is 80G; I imagine it's IDE.

This is really easy to do. Actually, you might be able to install the old hard drive in your new PC and use it. YOu will want to delete the Windows directory so the new PC does not get confused and try to boot from the old drive.

I do this a lot when I am rebuilding my machines. I build the new machine fresh with a new, large and faster hard drive and once I get it stabalized and like I want it, I attach the old hard drive, remove the Windows folder and then use it as a data drive or as a source for the software installations for download only applications I use.

An external enclosure should work. Most have a bridge adaptor that converts the IDE signal to either a USB 2 or firewire or both. Neither will be as fast a connection as the IDE connection if you put the old HDD in the new PC. Just remember to note the master/slave jumper settings on the old drive to make sure you have it set correctly for the external enclosure (usually master) or the secondary drive on the IDE channel (usually slave).

--
CDL



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[d70_europe]

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[daniel marleau]

Hi,

You can, if you want, make an image of your boot drive and install it on you new PC and retreive exactly what you have on your old PC without reinstalling anything.

I made that with 'True image' software and I was surprised to saw that it was like I boot from my old PC but it is now on a more big hard disk.
I did not reinstalled my windows 2k.

Only one 'reinstall' I reactivate my Photoshop CS2 because I got a message that I used it on more that PC permited. I deactivate on old hard disk (that I did not format...) and I reactivate on the new. Bingo. All is ok.

But like the others said, you can also use it just for data and it is not in this case necessary to make an image of your drive.
Regards,
Daniel

 

[MarcosV]

Hi,
You can, if you want, make an image of your boot drive and install
it on you new PC and retreive exactly what you have on your old PC
without reinstalling anything.
I made that with 'True image' software and I was surprised to saw
that it was like I boot from my old PC but it is now on a more big
hard disk.

True Image is currently my favorite disk backup/imaging utility. Very easy to use and does what you want. Licensing does get in your way either.

I used to be a big Norton Ghost fan, but, wasn't happy with Ghost with SATA drives and DOS and USB drivers.

Other reminder: backup your data on a regular basis. Do more than one backup media: such as both a secondary hard drive (hard drives are cheap when on sale --- 250 GB for $110 or less); and DVD blanks. You get get excellent grade DVD media if you buy online (e.g., Taiyo Yuden 8x slingle layer DVD-R for $0.43/each at http://www.supermediastore.com ). 8x DVD burners are also very cheap: $70 or less for a good Lite-On burner.

 

[daniel marleau]

Marcos,

I agree with you totally. True Image (If what we "plug" is very good, it is ok no?) I prefer also True Image (another time...) like you said, very easy to use (good 'wizard') no need to be a 'crack' to make a good back up with that software. But like you said, it is important to backup often (same advice if you don't use TI (last time I mentioned it). I never thought that backup would be so easy...
Daniel