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New computer/add old HD

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by shellysn, 2004/08/03.

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  1. 2004/08/03
    shellysn

    shellysn Inactive Thread Starter

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    OK - I am contemplating purchasing a new computer. My old computer is a 366 Mhz from Gateway that I paid WAY too much for and is WAY out of date.

    First, some background.

    I recently replaced my old HD with a new one which has much more space(40GB). This HD also has programs on it that I no longer have the installation disks for and I don't want to lose them. So, my question is this.

    If I buy a new computer it will be empty except for Windows XP. Can I take my old HD, wipe Windows 98 off of it without freaking anything out, (or do I even have to do that?) then install it somehow as a second HD in the new computer thus leaving intact all of the programs that I want to keep?

    Forgive me, I know just enough to get myself in trouble. ;)
     
    shellysn,
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  2. 2004/08/03
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    If Windows XP is preinstalled on the new computer, You can add the old HDD as slave* to the master HDD. Windows XP won't see that there is Windows 98 installed on the old HDD and in concequence knows nothing about any installed programs.

    *) don't forget to change the jumping from master to slave on the old HDD

    There is no way to transfer the programs from the old HDD to the new one since during the installation, files are spread across dedicated program folders and the system folders. In addition to that, most programs have several registry entries.

    The good thing is that You can transfer any and all user files (documents, pictures, video etc.) from the old HDD to the new one. The old HDD will make a good backup drive!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2004/08/03
    shellysn

    shellysn Inactive Thread Starter

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    OK - once again, forgive my ignorance. Can I run the programs from the slaved HD? Because that would be fine with me. :D
     
    shellysn,
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  5. 2004/08/03
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Well, Yes and No.

    No - they can't be run booted to WinXP since there is nothing in that registry on how to run them. XP doesn't even know they are there.

    Yes - they can be run from Win98 but You would have to set up a multi boot system. This means that each time You start the computer, You will have to choose which Operating System to start. It will default to WinXP but You will have a few seconds to choose Win98 instead.

    If You want to do this, I can't help You since I've never done it but I'm sure someone else will chime in.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2004/08/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    shellysn

    As Christer points out you will not be able to run the programs on the old hard disk - unless a dual boot system is set up. You would boot to Win 98 to run those programs, reboot to XP to run any others on the XP drive. Unless the XP drive is formatted FAT 32 and not NTFS the 98 disk will be unable to read any files on it. However the XP disk will read all files on the 98 disk regardless of whether the XP disk is formatted NTFS or FAT 32.


    It is more than likely that Win 98 would need to be reinstalled to recognise the new hardware.

    Sorry if this sounds complex, but it's as simple as I can make it :

    EDIT - Christer's fingers are faster than mine :D
     
    PeteC,
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  7. 2004/08/03
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hello shellysn,

    I saved this article from PCMAG - lost the link. If you want to try it, give it a shot. When and if you try this, make very sure that you have a System Restore point to revert to - just in case.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  8. 2004/08/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Charles,

    I don't think that will work for shellysn - she doesn't have the install disks for the programs she wants to continue running - thus reinstalling 98 to a new partition will not provide a solution.

    Dual boot would seem to be the only option - not sure if 98 can be on the slave drive?
     
    PeteC,
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  9. 2004/08/03
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Pete,

    My understanding is she wants to add the old drive (partition) with 98 already on it - so no reinstall of 98, it would already be there. The change would be to the MBR of XP telling it that 98 is present. Complicating this the fact that the old drive is also C. Upon reflection, I don't think an inexperienced person should try this. If she has someone around who could handle the complications, it is worh a try though.

    Dual booting with an NT system on C is problematic. Setting up a dual boot w/ a 9X on C is easy.

    Regards - Charles
     
    Last edited: 2004/08/03
    charlesvar,
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  10. 2004/08/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Charles

    My apologies - you are quite right - it makes no difference if the other partition is on another physical drive.
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2004/08/03
    Paul

    Paul Inactive

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    As Pete said earlier, (in less words :D )
    setting up the old drive in a dual boot senario is going to be difficult, problematic, fraught with danger and complicated, as the old gateway hardware settings are going to be VASTLY different than those of the new PC.
    Time to cut your losses with the programmes, and remember to KEEP THE ORIGINAL INSTALL DISKS OR INSTALL FILES.

    saving data files and documents to CD (or floppy :eek: ) whilst the drive is in the old system, reformatting the old disk and slaving it in the new system as a blank backup storage drive is the best solution.
     
    Last edited: 2004/08/03
    Paul,
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  12. 2004/08/03
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Yes, the more I think on this, the worse it gets.

    It would be feasible if the 9X were to be installed - but that's out.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  13. 2004/08/03
    Paul

    Paul Inactive

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    Yes,
    It could be an interesting exercise, given enough time, and coffee (or stronger :) ), but not in shellysns case I feel.
     
    Paul,
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  14. 2004/08/03
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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    shelly,
    There's no reason not to keep the old computer to run those programs, is there? There are ways to run two computers on the same keyboard, mouse, and monitor, and even connect them almost as one.
     
    Last edited: 2004/08/03
    sparrow,
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  15. 2004/08/03
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Thanks Sparrow.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  16. 2004/08/03
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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    :D
     
    sparrow,
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  17. 2004/08/04
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    As I mentioned in a previous post, it works OK to slave the old drive as it is and transfer the user files to the new drive.
    WinXP won't see the other OS but the contents of the old drive will be available in Windows Explorer.
    I've actually done it ...... :cool: ......

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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