Swapping HD one PC to another

This is quite straight forward .....

It's easy enough to identify which is the root drive by looking at the ribbon cable connectors - assuming the PC was built 'correctly', but to avoid unnecessary complication here is a simple alternative .

Shut down the PC

Remove the power cable from one drive - reboot. If the PC fails to boot you have disconnected the root drive C which holds the OS (Windows). If it boots go to Windows Explorer and see if the data you want is still available - if it is you have disconnected the wrong drive - if not then you have disconnected the drive you want out. Note that when you reboot the drive letters will change to accommodate only those drives which are connected.

Power down, replace the power cable and repeat with each of the other drives in turn. Don't pull off/plug in the power cables with the PC powered up!

When you have identified the drive install it in your new m/c as a slave to the existing hard drive. On booting up the drive should be recognised. You can then simply copy the contents of that drive to your existing drive in the new PC through Windows Explorer - no special software required - just the same as moving a file from one folder to another.

Note - you cannot copy programs and expect them to work - they won't! The program files will copy over just fine, but will be useless. When a program is installed the bulk will go into Program Files, but a lot is installed within Windows itself. You will need to re-install any programs which might have been installed on E again on the new PC.

HTH

 

williamrex - glad to hear it worked out OK - thanks for letting me know.

You're welcome - anytime