Dell Dim 4600

HDD 1 becoming questionable so adding 2nd (maxtor 200g). I want to gradually move to HDD2 and eliminate the orig HDD.

I don't want to xfer (image) ALL the data from HDD1 but selectively xfer key items - am willing to re-install any programs. I (and my kids) have built up an enormous amount of junk over the years and see this as an opportunity to clean-up. Also don't want to carry and bad stuff (spyware, malware, etc.) that may be lurking (though I do use Adaware/Spybot, etc)

Can I make HDD2 bootable also so that when I disconnect HDD1 - I can make that the primary?

Bill, December 2006

There will be a jumper on the h/d marked master. The disk you wish to boot off has to be the master. So un-jumper the current boot disk, actually I can't go on. If you don't know this you shouldn't have your pc open in the first place. And if another person says, go into you pc set up, well......

I assume your are/have installed a bootable O/S on to the second disk too??

ASK a Pro, March 2007

I have a copy of ACRONIS true image 8.0 which i have used to select the programs that i wanted to transfer to a new hard drive, its easy to use and you can select all or any individual programs to transfer, easy to use aswell. i had to do this because my hard drive was in doubt too!

jp, January 2007

Yup make it the primary hard disk in the PC's setup and install an Operating System (OS) on it. Or install an OS on it and make it the boot drive in your PC's setup. Or physically swap it or it's cables with the other drive and install an OS on it.

t, December 2006