[flavallee]

I've had a HP 8160 desktop for almost 7 years. The 3,600 RPM hard drive is a Quantum Bigfoot CY6480 with 6.03 GB of space. The processor is an Intel Pentium w/MMX type with a speed of 233 MHz(overclocked to 262 MHz). There are 4 - 32 MB modules of EDO RAM(which is the maximum supported amount for the ASUS TX97-XV mobo). I upgraded it from Windows 95 OSR2 to Windows 98SE a few years ago. It has run okay over the years, but it has gotten very slow, given the increased load from all the apps that have become memory-hungry.

I would like to have a new desktop built from scratch with a new 7,200 RPM hard drive and with a single partition. What would be involved in order to transfer the entire contents of my present hard drive onto the new hard drive so I can keep everything that I already have and not start from scratch?

 

[n2gun]

You will be able to hook it up as a slave and using the utility from the maker of the new drive, you can copy it to the new drive. I really do not recommend doing that as it will also copy the drivers. If you are going to have it built locally by a local store, you can talk to them about transfering the contents for you. It is not a big job with the right knowledge.

 

[flavallee]

I didn't think about the driver files already present. That would be a problem.

 

[mobo]

I agree with Ray. You would be better off clean installing the new drive then slave the old one and transfer files, documets etc to the fresh install. It may be a little more effort but well worth it in the end.

 

[dustyjay]

one thing to remember is that you cant just transfer installed program files. The programs need to be installed fresh along witht the OS. The reason for this is that most of the programs we use make entries in the the OS registry file. This is used to steer the os to the program you want to run. Also programs may also install files that are needed into a different directory than the one the executable for the program is stored in.

 

[flavallee]

I agree, Mobo. That's probably the best way to go. Fortunately, I have both a "full" and "upgrade" 98SE CD.

Thanks, DustyJay. I'm already aware of that.

 

[dustyjay]

cool flavallee, just checking. Many times I have had people ask me why there stuff doesnt work after copying it from one to another hard drive. Even had them yelling at me that I didnt know what I was toalking about. Had one or two apologies come my way for that.

 

[flavallee]

No problem. I appreciated your input.

Well, it's time for me to pack up for another cave diving trip.:up:

 

[mobo]

watch you noggin on the stalagmites and stalagtites .........

 

[flavallee]

It's very rare for Florida underwater caves to have stalagmites and stalagtites, but the passages are unique and different in every cave system. I just returned from Peacock Springs in Luraville, Florida. We had 2 days of great cave diving.:up:

 

[Jedi_Master]

Howdy folks...

One thing you can try ( I've done this creating images with W2K, haven't tried it on W98 yet, but still should work ), is in Device Manger, install Standard Windows drivers for all the devices, including System Devices ( don't reboot when asked to ), if no device drivers are installed, just delete them, power down the pc and connect the old hard drive to the new motherboard...

Then if the new drive comes with any transfer utilities, run it, boot to the new drive, then either PNP will ( should ) pick up any new devices, or use the motherboard cd to install them...