Question Re: Hardrives

[mongrelpunt]

I have 2 computers. Computer 1 has a CD Burner and runs XP. The harddrive in Computer 2 needs to be either replaced or reformatted, but this computer runs Win98 and has no CD burner.

My question is - am I able to add the Comp#2's HDD to Comp#1 and use the CD Burner to back up my files, even though they run 2 seperate OS's? If yes, would this just be a case of setting up the 2nd HDD as a slave and that's that? Or would it just be better to buy a CD burner for the other one, even though there may be a chance the HDD will be unusable before I get to install it?

Any help will be hugely appreciated.

 

[nonchalance]

2nd HDD can just be plugged straight in as a slave.

As long as you make sure HDD 1 is still the default boot disk, you're right.

Probably worth formatting from Computer 1, too.

 

[jim boy]

It is just a case of plugging it in and it should work. but yes you 'might' have to change the master slave settings. This is dependent on where you plug it in.

Most PC's have two controllers with a master slave on each. Presuming that your first hard disk is in 1st controller, master slot, then you could stick it in as either a slave on the 1st or 2nd controller or as master on the 2nd controller.

 

[mongrelpunt]

Thanks for your feedback - I am completely stumped when it comes to the inside of a computer. I'll work with what has been said so far.

 

[jim boy]

Follow the instructions here http://www.basichardware.com/HowTo_Install_Hard_Drive.html

 

[MadMaxx]

Alternativly, whip the burner out from your XP machine, and pop it into your 98 machine(you could use the cable that the current CD/DVD drive is currently using). Load the burner software, cut all your files to disk, and reverse.

This would of course depend if your 98 machine was still booting and/or stable enough.