Getting files off an old hard drive with a new computer.

[alligatorbling]

Hey folks, I have a new computer but would like to get my pics and mp3s off of my old harddrive. Ive read about installing the old hard drive as a slave drive, I kinda understand that, but my question is this... Im running XP pro on my new computer, the old computer was running XP home... also, i forget the name of the format type, but my old pc had the systemrestore files set in its only little section of the harddrive, so it was set aside and unaccesable, where my new hardrive is just one drive, it has a system restore disk that came with it. along with a drivers cd. if i were to plug in the hard drive to my new pc as a slave drive would i be able to go into "My Computer" and access the drive? Or maybe do a search for .mpe and .jpg files? Any help is greatly appreciated

[TrinityFive]

Yes, it's already formatted so XP can read it. Once you have the files off that you need, just reformat it and you'll have a handy additional HDD to store info on. In my set up I have a 150GB Raptor to run the OS and programs, all my personal files / MP3s / movies are strored on a separate physical 150GB Barracuda. I also run 2 250GB external HDD for back up.

[alligatorbling]

Originally Posted by TrinityFive

Yes, it's already formatted so XP can read it. Once you have the files off that you need, just reformat it and you'll have a handy additional HDD to store info on. In my set up I have a 150GB Raptor to run the OS and programs, all my personal files / MP3s / movies are strored on a separate physical 150GB Barracuda. I also run 2 250GB external HDD for back up.

thanks for clearing that up for me im so glad that its not a drawn out complicated procedure lol.

[TrinityFive]

Be sure yo are connecting it right though, if it's a modern system you are probably using SATA connections, if it's an older HDD it may be IDE connections.

[alligatorbling]

Originally Posted by TrinityFive

Be sure yo are connecting it right though, if it's a modern system you are probably using SATA connections, if it's an older HDD it may be IDE connections.

ill have to check that out when i get home, im asuming if i dont have the plugs to fit right i can buy an adapter?

[TrinityFive]

yep

[LoKi]

If you're going from Home to Pro you'll have no problems. Pro back to Home can be an issue if you used Dynamic Disk though.

Best case scenario would be to get a USB external enclosure, pop the drive in, copy the stuff you want off of it, format it and use it as a permanent backup of your important stuff.

I backup like crazy. Scheduled backups every day to my usb hard drive so I don't lose the things that matter to me.

Syncback is a GREAT backup program and is absolutely free. 2BrightSparks: File Backup and Utility Software

[TrinityFive]

I use the Synctoy utility from Microsoft, I'll take a look at the syncback though.....

EDIT : Downloaded, used it, like it.

Nice find

[LoKi]

Syncback is really easy, and does most of what the 'big boys' do, for no cost. My networks are all setup with Symantec Backup for the most part. I still have a few people hanging on tapes for some reason... I always laugh when they ask me to restore a file and I pop in a tape that is completely blank.

I love the fact that you can now get USB keys that are large enough to backup what most people consider to be critical, for under $40.

[TrinityFive]

....apart from your entire music collection when it runs to nearly 70GB. I have gone completely digital and sold all my CDs after ripping them. Thats why I am paranoid about backing up, I have my entire music collection backed up to an external HDD and a netwired HDD which I use as the source for my remote music server.

It enables me to play the 70GB file without having the computer on.

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by TrinityFive

....apart from your entire music collection when it runs to nearly 70GB. I have gone completely digital and sold all my CDs after ripping them. Thats why I am paranoid about backing up, I have my entire music collection backed up to an external HDD and a netwired HDD which I use as the source for my remote music server.

It enables me to play the 70GB file without having the computer on.

I've got one of those as well. Brilliant, especially if you take the time to wire your house properly. I stream everything from one location to wherever I happen to be.

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by LoKi

I've got one of those as well. Brilliant, especially if you take the time to wire your house properly. I stream everything from one location to wherever I happen to be.

Oh and my current MP3 collection is 643GB. I have it mirrored on two 1TB drives.

Everytime a client drops off their system I snag their music collection and add it to my own. I spent 2 weeks organizing and dividing into genre. I love all music, and I've got everything from reggae to opera, and all in between! It's great. I haven't had the time to create great playlists yet, but that is on the agenda. Thank God for random! Although it's not very random... I've noticed patterns while playing certain folders only. Still good though, with enough variety that it doesn't matter much!

[MenaceMartin]

I can't stress this enough... backup! backup! and backup some more!

i've been through hard-drive failure, been there, done that, and don't wanna go through it again i backup all my important stuff, such as music and pictures and all of my documents every month (around 80Gb worth) to a SATA drive, which i then unplug when not in use so its not spinning away when i don't need it. I use SATA Seagate Barracuda harddrives, (2x 500Gb and 160Gb).

[Hemply]

Windows Easy Transfer

This will take you to the DL page for XP to XP transfer, very easy program to use Blingo.

[coldsteal2]

Very easy, i just pull the hard drive out of my old
computer and plug it in, do a restart and you have
a second hard drive that alows you to transfer
them to your new hard drive,

[Guido]

Whatever you do, Englun is the answer.