New HD driver OS question.

[overclockerx]

Hey guys, I just got a new HD 500gb WD blue caviar something.

My old HD seems to be slower fragmented and well bad.

My goal is to reinstall W7 on the new HD while still keeping the old HD hooked up for data storage such as pictures, movies etc. No vital programs or video games.

my question is, do I have to delete all drivers from the old HD for a smooth transition or can I just reinstall all the drivers on the new HD without the old ones on the other HD conflicting.

Additional Comment:

also, would I need to remove the old w7 install on the old HD after I run it via my new HD.

[dolshina]

First, I'm not sure why you'd want to use your old HDD when you suspect that it's failing?

Second, assuming that your old HDD is not failing, you could just simply format it to remove the OS and all other data. (You will not be able to do this in Windows7).

Install Win7 on your new WD Blue HDD, and then use the original drive, (now clean), for storage.

[Transnone13]

I always prep my drives with the UBCD and DOD 4-6 pass stripe the HDDs. Can't be too careful .

[overclockerx]

Originally Posted by dolshina

First, I'm not sure why you'd want to use your old HDD when you suspect that it's failing?

Second, assuming that your old HDD is not failing, you could just simply format it to remove the OS and all other data. (You will not be able to do this in Windows7).

Install Win7 on your new WD Blue HDD, and then use the original drive, (now clean), for storage.

the problem is that I want to keep the data on the old HD for now.

Why does W7 not allow that?

[jmilch]

Originally Posted by overclockerx

Hey guys, I just got a new HD 500gb WD blue caviar something.

My old HD seems to be slower fragmented and well bad.

My goal is to reinstall W7 on the new HD while still keeping the old HD hooked up for data storage such as pictures, movies etc. No vital programs or video games.

my question is, do I have to delete all drivers from the old HD for a smooth transition or can I just reinstall all the drivers on the new HD without the old ones on the other HD conflicting.

Additional Comment:

also, would I need to remove the old w7 install on the old HD after I run it via my new HD.

Just install a new copy of windows on the new drive, and throw the old drive in a external enclosure or just add it as a second drive much like you would a storage drive...

Then you still have access to the old stuff. You dont need to worry about drivers on the old drive if you are just using it for storage (Not your primary OS drive)

[overclockerx]

Originally Posted by jmilch

Just install a new copy of windows on the new drive, and throw the old drive in a external enclosure or just add it as a second drive much like you would a storage drive...

Then you still have access to the old stuff. You dont need to worry about drivers on the old drive if you are just using it for storage (Not your primary OS drive)

Okay, so if I use it as a secondary drive in my pc there is no chance the old driver from the old HD will conflict with the new one?

[dolshina]

Originally Posted by overclockerx

the problem is that I want to keep the data on the old HD for now.

Why does W7 not allow that?

Because you cannot format a drive that contains the OS from within the OS, or it would be wiping out itself. The OS protects itself from accidentally doing that.

I didn't realize there was data on the old drive that you wanted.

If I were you, I'd just back up all the data on the old drive that I wanted to keep. Obviously, you'd need to do this with a 3rd drive, thumb drive, CD, or DVD, etc.

After installing the new WD Blue HDD, just disconnect the old drive so the system cannot see it. Then, install Win7 on your new drive. After that's done, you can now re-connect your old drive, and format it from within Win7 while booted up in your new drive.

When that's done, just dump all your saved data, onto the old drive, and your done!

[jmilch]

Originally Posted by overclockerx

Okay, so if I use it as a secondary drive in my pc there is no chance the old driver from the old HD will conflict with the new one?

No. The only drive to worry about drivers on is the main OS drive (Boot drive). Everything else is treated like storage regardless of the contents.

[maxgull]

or install w7 on the new drive from the xp desktop, dual boot ftw.

Additional Comment:

Originally Posted by overclockerx

Okay, so if I use it as a secondary drive in my pc there is no chance the old driver from the old HD will conflict with the new one?

you will be ok, the os in use will only use the drivers you installed for it, it won't search around for drivers in another hdd.

[overclockerx]

Originally Posted by jmilch

No. The only drive to worry about drivers on is the main OS drive (Boot drive). Everything else is treated like storage regardless of the contents.

Originally Posted by maxgull

or install w7 on the new drive from the xp desktop, dual boot ftw.

Additional Comment:


you will be ok, the os in use will only use the drivers you installed for it, it won't search around for drivers in another hdd.

Okay thanks


Now I just need to do some horrible cable management....

the side cover is bulging

[Transnone13]

Originally Posted by overclockerx

Okay thanks


Now I just need to do some horrible cable management....

the side cover is bulging

It's cable-fu for the uninitiated.

[overclockerx]

Originally Posted by Transnone13

It's cable-fu for the uninitiated.

had to call my dad to hold the sidecover in place while I tried to screw it shut.

it's a bit bended at the bottom right now.

[Transnone13]

Originally Posted by overclockerx

had to call my dad to hold the sidecover in place while I tried to screw it shut.

it's a bit bended at the bottom right now.

That's not normal...

[overclockerx]

Originally Posted by Transnone13

That's not normal...

I was about to write, american design but nah :P

ill hammer it to fix it.