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moving HDD

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by xort, 2008/02/07.

  1. 2008/02/07
    xort

    xort Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have an extra 'D' drive in a desktop with a lot of files on it.
    Can I put it into an external case and use it with a laptop?
    Will the old desktop still run OK? None of the operating system is on the 'D' drive, only files for one specific program.

    It's a Western Digital 120 GB Enhanced IDE Hard Drive.

    Both computers are Win XP.
     
    xort,
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  2. 2008/02/07
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Don't see a problem - standard practice with old drives. Have done just that myself.

    I assume the program which accesses the files on D:\ is loaded to C:\? The desktop will run fine without the D:\ drive if it contains only data files as you say.

    Simple check - close down the desktop, pull the power connector from D:\ and reboot.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2008/02/08
    xort

    xort Inactive Thread Starter

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    so far...

    ...so good. The old pc boots up without the D drive. Had a brief scare at boot up when I get a notice that it can't find drive #1. Then upon further digging I find the C drive is drive 0. Who came up with this numbering scheme? All's well.

    Now about the 'new' D drive. I was shopping the net for an external drive case. Found one comment that you had to reformat the drive, which erases all the data. I definately don't want to do that. What specifically do I look for in a drive case that will not require reformatting? It's not clear from what I've seen in the many lisitngs of drive cases.
    Thanx
     
    xort,
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  5. 2008/02/08
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I have a CoolerMaster enclosure and am very certain that the drive did not require formatting - it would defeat the object of portability/swappability.

    Look at it this way - if a second internal hard drive containing data is connected to a computer the data is instantly readable by the computer. The external enclosure is just another means of connecting a drive.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2008/02/08
    xort

    xort Inactive Thread Starter

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    Pete
    That makes sense to me but I was reading a review of an enclosure and the buyer was complaining about the requirement to reformat.
    He might have been screwing something up, don't know.
    thanx
     
    xort,
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