need some views from the pro's about HDD

[SkylineRemix]

The situation is like this,

I have a 250GB Sata Harddisk (C and a 40GB IDE Harddisk (D.
Currently the OS is running on the Sata Harddisk.
What i want to do is to transfers the OS to the 40GB Harddisk so that i'll have more backup storage space.

What i've done until now:
I've installed windows yesterday on the IDE Harddisk but that drive is known as F:.
So now i have 2 harddisk each having their own OS.
Is there any solutions for me to change the windows drive in the IDE Harddisk from F: to C
And the Sata Harddisk is categorize as C at that moment:

One more thing,

If i remove the SATA Harddisk and reinstall Windows again on the IDE Harddisk as C:, will my Sata Harddisk unable to detect when using the windows in IDE? Or will anything crash on both Harddisk?

That's all and Thanks ^_^

If you're confused with what i'm posting here, you can contact me via MSN Messenger.
My MSN e-mail address is: liquid_mobile@yahoo.com

[Adrian Wong]

What operating system did you install on both hard drives??

[peaz]

Best solution IMHO, is to remove the sata drive. reinstall windows on the 40GB harddisk (although I think it's too small to be the system drive these days).
Then plug back the 250GB SATA. But before booting up, make sure to set the boot up priority in the BIOS to boot up the IDE drive 1st. That would boot the OS on the 40GB one which should now be C drive as well.

Then in Windows, see if the 250GB hard disk shows up in My Computer. If not, then go into computer management console and check the disk manager to see if it is registered with a valid drive letter. Once you check on that and make sure the settings are right, you can then see the disk and you can go ahead and delete the windows dir on your 250GB hard disk,

But seriously, isn't it just easier to get a new 250GB hard disk for extra space? Or perhaps a 500GB one which costs about RM380 now? 40GB is cutting it quite tight for your system drive and you would need to move all your documents directory and even install apps into the other drive.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by peaz

Best solution IMHO, is to remove the sata drive. reinstall windows on the 40GB harddisk (although I think it's too small to be the system drive these days).
Then plug back the 250GB SATA. But before booting up, make sure to set the boot up priority in the BIOS to boot up the IDE drive 1st. That would boot the OS on the 40GB one which should now be C drive as well.

Then in Windows, see if the 250GB hard disk shows up in My Computer. If not, then go into computer management console and check the disk manager to see if it is registered with a valid drive letter. Once you check on that and make sure the settings are right, you can then see the disk and you can go ahead and delete the windows dir on your 250GB hard disk,

But seriously, isn't it just easier to get a new 250GB hard disk for extra space? Or perhaps a 500GB one which costs about RM380 now? 40GB is cutting it quite tight for your system drive and you would need to move all your documents directory and even install apps into the other drive.

I agree.

[SkylineRemix]

Originally Posted by peaz

Best solution IMHO, is to remove the sata drive. reinstall windows on the 40GB harddisk (although I think it's too small to be the system drive these days).
Then plug back the 250GB SATA. But before booting up, make sure to set the boot up priority in the BIOS to boot up the IDE drive 1st. That would boot the OS on the 40GB one which should now be C drive as well.

Then in Windows, see if the 250GB hard disk shows up in My Computer. If not, then go into computer management console and check the disk manager to see if it is registered with a valid drive letter. Once you check on that and make sure the settings are right, you can then see the disk and you can go ahead and delete the windows dir on your 250GB hard disk,

But seriously, isn't it just easier to get a new 250GB hard disk for extra space? Or perhaps a 500GB one which costs about RM380 now? 40GB is cutting it quite tight for your system drive and you would need to move all your documents directory and even install apps into the other drive.

Well... poor man here don't have money to upgrade harddisk space...
But i did plan to install unnecessary applications to the other harddisk like NFS and Maple Story... ^_^

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

What operating system did you install on both hard drives??

Both Windows XP

[Adrian Wong]

Well, if you are installing Windows XP on both hard drives, it should be able to detect the extra installation and give you to option to choose which you want to boot up with.

After you install and transfer the data, you can wipe the second hard drive to store your files. But Ken's method is faster and better IMHO.

[peaz]

I would still seriously suggest getting another hard disk. Never hurts to have more hard disk space/

[1031982]

I would say use a partition manager to do the fallowing.
1. make a second partition on the 250GB drive. Move all important/wanted data to it.
2. VERIFY YOU HAVE EVERYTHING.
3. wipe out the first partition on the 250, and then expand the second partition to take up the whole drive.
4. Re-install Windows on the 40GB.
You can also make an un-attended install disk just for the setup. It would really help with time. Nlite OS is a great help for getting it right and easly.

As for 40GB not being enough for a system drive, it depends on what's being installed, and the OS version. For my sister a 40GB is fine total. It's very user dependent.

[SkylineRemix]

Originally Posted by peaz

I would still seriously suggest getting another hard disk. Never hurts to have more hard disk space/

Well... eveybody knows that... heee ^_^
I'll consider getting one after i receive my salary....

btw, i want to ask... how to create partition? most of the time i install windows, i couldn't find the part where i can split into 2 partitions.....

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by SkylineRemix

Well... eveybody knows that... heee ^_^
I'll consider getting one after i receive my salary....

btw, i want to ask... how to create partition? most of the time i install windows, i couldn't find the part where i can split into 2 partitions.....

You can't "split" a partition in the Windows XP installation routine. You can create multiple partitions.

Just delete the current single partition in that drive, and create two new partitions.