How do i transfer info from on HD to another?

[Damnyankee]

I have two questions. I have a P4P800 MoBo and a Maxtor 60GB ATA/133 HDD, will i be able to upgrade my computer Hd to this one on the link http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-152-014&DEPA=1

and if i do this, do i have to reinstall the drivers, bios, graphics card, everything? I want to start the HD new so it is like a fresh start(not thereason i'm getting a new hd, need more space), is there a way to transfer drivers and all that other stuff without everything else?

 

[Souron]

If your computer allows for 2 Hard drives, you can connet them both, and transfer everything manualy.

You could also do it over a network, with 2 computers.

 

[Strontium_Dog]

I have two questions. I have a P4P800 MoBo and a Maxtor 60GB ATA/133 HDD, will i be able to upgrade my computer Hd to this one on the link http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-152-014&DEPA=1

and if i do this, do i have to reinstall the drivers, bios, graphics card, everything? I want to start the HD new so it is like a fresh start(not thereason i'm getting a new hd, need more space), is there a way to transfer drivers and all that other stuff without everything else?

Do you really need a re-install of windows? I mean is yours lagging or having problems (other than the generic )

I'd just put the new drive in as a slave, and use all the extra space for storage. But I'm lazy.

If you want to use it as a boot drive, I would first suggest partitioning it, as you don't need windows trawling through 160gig of fragged up files every time it needs something. It'll get a bit laggy.

5 Gig partition for windows, only put windows, and new drivers in here.
10 gig for programs. Install all your software here.
rest of drive for storage.

You can set this up, then copy your present windows folder over from your existing drive. It'll take forever though. I'd go with a fresh install, get a six-pack, and get steadily drunk, while installing all the updates. It gets rid of the accumulated crap, and I like getting drunk. I normally do it this way

 

[Damnyankee]

Do you really need a re-install of windows? I mean is yours lagging or having problems (other than the generic )

I'd just put the new drive in as a slave, and use all the extra space for storage. But I'm lazy.

If you want to use it as a boot drive, I would first suggest partitioning it, as you don't need windows trawling through 160gig of fragged up files every time it needs something. It'll get a bit laggy.

5 Gig partition for windows, only put windows, and new drivers in here.
10 gig for programs. Install all your software here.
rest of drive for storage.

You can set this up, then copy your present windows folder over from your existing drive. It'll take forever though. I'd go with a fresh install, get a six-pack, and get steadily drunk, while installing all the updates. It gets rid of the accumulated crap, and I like getting drunk. I normally do it this way

I think it would just ake my life easier if i got and external HD and ade that a "Slave"

 

[Strontium_Dog]

I think it would just ake my life easier if i got and external HD and ade that a "Slave"

You should be able to fit the one you linked to, internally.

I've never seen a mobo with less than 2 IDE channels, each of these channels allows 2 devices to be connected, a master and a slave. I'm guessing you have only one HDD so far, and, as long as you have no more than 2 cd/dvd drives, you have a spare place to put your new drive

Your power supply should have a spare connecter too, never seen one with less than 4.

The only cases I've ever seen with only one HDD mount are 'Gamers Cases'. Usually got a load of lights, windows etc, and are very small.

I'd go with the drive you stated. It's better than another box to find space for (and another target for spilled drinks).

 

[Damnyankee]

You should be able to fit the one you linked to, internally.

I've never seen a mobo with less than 2 IDE channels, each of these channels allows 2 devices to be connected, a master and a slave. I'm guessing you have only one HDD so far, and, as long as you have no more than 2 cd/dvd drives, you have a spare place to put your new drive

Your power supply should have a spare connecter too, never seen one with less than 4.

The only cases I've ever seen with only one HDD mount are 'Gamers Cases'. Usually got a load of lights, windows etc, and are very small.

I'd go with the drive you stated. It's better than another box to find space for (and another target for spilled drinks).

Actually i have 4 spaces for drives, i would get this drive to move to other places(other computers)

 

[Strontium_Dog]

Actually i have 4 spaces for drives, i would get this drive to move to other places(other computers)

Ah, then a USB external drive is probably your best option then. You can get a 'removeable Hard Drive caddy', which is a slidey out tray thingy, that sits in a 5 1/4" bay, that makes a standard drive removeable, but any comp' you wanted to take it to would have to have one too. A USB drive will go to any comp' with a USB port, which is pretty much all of them made in the last 5 years or more.

 

[stormbind]

What about an external USB kit (for internal IDE drives)?

I have seen them, but never used one, so don't know how good or bad they are.

 

[Strontium_Dog]

What about an external USB kit (for internal IDE drives)?

I have seen them, but never used one, so don't know how good or bad they are.

I think they are, basically, an external USB drive, without the drive itself, so to speak. An empty external drive box, to which you add a drive of your own. I suppose they would be an advantage if you already had a drive you wanted to use, or you can pick exactly which drive goes in. But if you were buying them seperatly, it would probably work out more expensive (can't seem to find one right now to check).

There's some nice looking external drives about now, with some useful features. One-touch back-up seems to be the thing, press a button and your main drive is backed up to the external one, very handy.
This page shows a few link I like the look of the W/D ones, bottom of the page. 8in1 card reader built in is good.