Author Topic: computer smartarses out there? (Read 9651 times)

Will · « **on:** August 05, 2007, 12:35:45 PM »

well my computer has a blue screen and apparently i have to reinstall the OS again, but that means losing a lot of stuff, loooaaads of songs. i now have a spare HD, can i use that as the primary, and then put the old one as the slave without losing data?
i don't know much ocmputer techy cr@p, but they are both SATA anyway

Thanks!!!!!!!

Oli · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2007, 01:13:27 PM »

Yep you can do that :)

I'd suggest taking the 'broken' one out and install the new OS onto the new drive whilst there's only the one in there- it'll make things easier and you can be sure nothing will get written over by accident. When you're all back up and running, you can put the old one back in and set it to be a slave drive.

Good luck!

Will · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2007, 01:18:11 PM »

THANKYOU now atleast i know i can do it

ok, anybody fancy giving me a bit more information on how to now???

edit: or just how to set SATA disks to slave and the like?

Oli · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2007, 01:21:42 PM »

When the computer boots, go into the BIOS menu, and you can edit the drives setup in there :)

Will · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2007, 01:25:01 PM »

which button is that? is that F5?

Oli · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2007, 01:35:18 PM »

Off hand, i think it's either F2, F8 or F10, but it can vary... when the computer boots (just after the POST beep at the start), it'll say which button to press- something like 'Press F10 to enter setup'.

Will · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:53:28 PM »

confused already :shock:
theres two cables that go into it, big one, little one.
i only have one little one, so when i want to attach the second hard disk later, what do i dooooo

soo tired, thinking just doesn't work

sgmypod · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2007, 09:25:24 AM »

the thick cable if a sata is the power, so you will prob need to buy a sata cable

Will · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2007, 09:36:56 AM »

yeah i thkn its the data cable. not too expensive atleast

thanks for all the help!

I won't have to reformat the old one when i connect it will I?
How will it boot if it has 2 HDs with OS's on?

Oli · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2007, 05:47:54 PM »

By removing the old disk while you install the new OS, will make sure that you don't format it by accident :)

If you set the disks correctly, it will boot from the primary first, so you won't have to worry. What would be a good bit of 'housekeeping' though, would be to (when you're all set up and running) copy all the old stuff you want to keep , to the 'new' disk, format the old one and chuck the stuff back- so you get rid of all the old system files that you don't/won't need, and free up space.

Will · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2007, 06:00:30 PM »

Quote from: Oli

By removing the old disk while you install the new OS, will make sure that you don't format it by accident :)

If you set the disks correctly, it will boot from the primary first, so you won't have to worry. What would be a good bit of 'housekeeping' though, would be to (when you're all set up and running) copy all the old stuff you want to keep , to the 'new' disk, format the old one and chuck the stuff back- so you get rid of all the old system files that you don't/won't need, and free up space.

Ok new disc is in and sorted, just need the data cable - but how do i set the SATA thing, it says that SATA does not have the primary and slave thing :?

I did intend to sort out what i wanted and reformat it btw, it was a messssss!

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:03:11 PM »

In your Bios you can set Hard Drive priorities - There is no Master and slave because you can simply set which one to boot from.

If they have the same name it'll be trial and error - But other than that you can just set the 2nd hard drive as priority 1 and it will boot into that one.

Also, when installing whichever OS you're installing - Make sure you do it onto the new hard drive, and if you're unsure which one's which (should tell you how much space is on each, and you can work it out from there) just take out the one which you want to keep safe.

Quote

Off hand, i think it's either F2, F8 or F10, but it can vary... when the computer boots (just after the POST beep at the start), it'll say which button to press- something like 'Press F10 to enter setup'.

9/10 nowadays it's Delete for Bios - But sometimes you get F10.

I've never seen a motherboard that wants F2 or F8 for Bios :s

Bird · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:07:33 PM »

Ahhh I almost miss my pc. :roll:

Will · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:10:35 PM »

well they are both 160gb - I am on special communications with dell after £60 of phone bills of me harrassing them. the sent me out a new one no questions.

and it is F2 lol

I was thinking of Dual booting eventually

Kilby · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:15:40 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

9/10 nowadays it's Delete for Bios - But sometimes you get F10.

I've never seen a motherboard that wants F2 or F8 for Bios :s

Phoenix BIOS machines are F10 these days

However Intel boards was always Ctrl-S and AMI-BIOS machines where the DEL key