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Installing XP Home on 2nd drive

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by NorthernJoy, 2005/07/27.

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  1. 2005/07/27
    NorthernJoy

    NorthernJoy Inactive Thread Starter

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    I would appreciate some advice please. Here's the scenario:

    When I installed Windows XP (NTFS) on my original 12 gig drive, somehow I managed to get 2 operating systems installed. When I boot up, I have the option of which I want to use (both XP Home). That drive quickly filled up and is running slower than syrup when multi-tasking with large programs.

    My roommate gifted me with a 200 gig drive that he has mounted for me (my plan was to use the 12 gig drive for file backup). He mounted it as the slave however suggesting that I install XP on the new drive and boot up to it which has me concerned.

    Is his suggestion the best way to go (the 12 gig is backed up)?

    Will I be able to format the 12 gig drive and remove the two other operating systems?

    What would you do?

    Joy
     
    NorthernJoy,
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  2. 2005/07/27
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    NorthernJoy - Welcome to the Board :)

    Your roommates suggestion is basically sound - however I would recommend that you proceed as follows ....

    Disconnect the 12 Gb drive and set the 200Gb drive as Master.

    Check in the BIOS that the boot order is CD-ROM > Floppy > Hard Drive and if not so make the necessary adjustments to the settings.

    Boot the PC with the XP CD in the CD-ROM drive and follow the on screen instructions.

    I would be inclined to make a 10 - 20 Gb partition for Windows during setup as detailed here under the section How to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program

    Once Windows is loaded you can go to Disk Management - right click My Computer > Disk Management and create further partitions in the unallocated space. The number you create is up to you, but I would strongly recommend that you store all your data on a separate partition - not on the C:\ drive where Windows is installed. The advantage here is that should you ever need to reinstall Windows the C:\ drive can be formatted without the loss of any personal data as it is on another partition.

    When that task is completed set your 12 Gb drive as slave and hitch it back into the PC. Copy all your data to the 200Gb drive and when that is done you can format the drive as use it as a backup location.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2005/07/27
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hello Joy,

    My roommate gifted me with a 200 gig drive that he has mounted for me (my plan was to use the 12 gig drive for file backup). He mounted it as the slave however suggesting that I install XP on the new drive and boot up to it which has me concerned.
    It could run that way - I have two internal HD's with an OS on both, but I don't know how the system would handle a triple boot situation.

    Best bet to would be to switch drives, the new one in place of the current small drive and then installing XP on it.

    Will I be able to format the 12 gig drive and remove the two other operating systems?
    Yes, once you get the new installation running, you can format the old drive. The new install will create a new Boot.ini file that will recognize the new install only. You would have to run the Recovery Console to add the older installations, which is something you wouldn't want to do anyway.

    Regards - Charles

    Sorry Pete, a little slow :)
     
    charlesvar,
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  5. 2005/07/27
    NorthernJoy

    NorthernJoy Inactive Thread Starter

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    You have both been extremely helpful. Thank you so very much. :)
     
    NorthernJoy,
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