Transferring a hard drive

I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2 (configured
as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard
drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured
as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph


I am have done in the past what you are suggesting with no problem. In fact,
my second disk is now a mirrored bootable copy of the main drive.
Points to look out for.
He should observe ant static precautions all the time. In fact make sure ALL
the power is turned off but leave the power lead connected to the mains to
provide earthing.
Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1). You will need to ensure,
as you have said, that the disk you move is set to slave from master.
However, some drives are set to CSEL (Cable select) and you shouldn't mix
master and slave with CSEL. ( He could also have an IDE cable with only one
connector on it for master, I know it is obvious but ask if there is a spare
connector on the IDE cable before moving anything).
Also check that there are spare power connectors for the additional hard
drive.
Don't forget to mention that the IDE connectors are keyed so that they
cannot be inserted the incorrect way AND the pins are fragile/easily bent
( I know as I have bent them).
If he is going to install the drive permanently into the PC, remind him that
the securing screws holding it in place are especially short and don't go
replacing them with any others lying around as he could end up permanently
damaging the hard drive.
Finally, when the work is completed, get him to boot into BIOS first before
running Windows to ensure the MOBO is seeing the second drive correctly.
Alan

No problems, in either configuration. So long as he doesn't try to boot to
the drive, it will look like any other partition. One thing to remember is
that the drive letters will change, bumping any CD drive farther down the
list. May cause hiccups if some application is trying to access the CD
drive(s). And if the PC 2 system has more than one partition, the drive
lettering for those will also get messed up. The system partition will be
C:\, as before, but the added drive will become D:\, with any other
partitions on the PC 2's drive being bumped down the alphabet.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

Alan:
You wrote: "Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1)."
Is this better than putting the transferred hard drive on IDE2?
thanks....ralph


"Alan" wrote in message
...

"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard
drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured
as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph


I am have done in the past what you are suggesting with no problem. In
fact,
my second disk is now a mirrored bootable copy of the main drive.
Points to look out for.
He should observe ant static precautions all the time. In fact make sure
ALL
the power is turned off but leave the power lead connected to the mains to
provide earthing.
Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1). You will need to
ensure,
as you have said, that the disk you move is set to slave from master.
However, some drives are set to CSEL (Cable select) and you shouldn't mix
master and slave with CSEL. ( He could also have an IDE cable with only
one
connector on it for master, I know it is obvious but ask if there is a
spare
connector on the IDE cable before moving anything).
Also check that there are spare power connectors for the additional hard
drive.
Don't forget to mention that the IDE connectors are keyed so that they
cannot be inserted the incorrect way AND the pins are fragile/easily bent
( I know as I have bent them).
If he is going to install the drive permanently into the PC, remind him
that
the securing screws holding it in place are especially short and don't go
replacing them with any others lying around as he could end up permanently
damaging the hard drive.
Finally, when the work is completed, get him to boot into BIOS first
before
running Windows to ensure the MOBO is seeing the second drive correctly.
Alan

Thanks for the replies- guess I have not forgotten everything!
What do you think of the following possible solution:
Somhow find a serial mouse and use it rather than a PS2 mouse. Am I correct
that WIN98 supported a serial mouse?
thanks again....ralph


"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

No, it's not better, but it *does* let you leave the CD drive(s) on the
Secondary IDE cable where they are probably already located. One thing you
*don't* want to do is to put a hard drive as the Slave where a CD drive is
the Master. Only Slave a hard drive where another hard drive is the Master.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
Alan:
You wrote: "Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1)."
Is this better than putting the transferred hard drive on IDE2?
thanks....ralph


"Alan" wrote in message
...

"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical
ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for
a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard
drive
(IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured
as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph


I am have done in the past what you are suggesting with no problem. In
fact,
my second disk is now a mirrored bootable copy of the main drive.
Points to look out for.
He should observe ant static precautions all the time. In fact make sure
ALL
the power is turned off but leave the power lead connected to the mains
to
provide earthing.
Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1). You will need to
ensure,
as you have said, that the disk you move is set to slave from master.
However, some drives are set to CSEL (Cable select) and you shouldn't
mix
master and slave with CSEL. ( He could also have an IDE cable with only
one
connector on it for master, I know it is obvious but ask if there is a
spare
connector on the IDE cable before moving anything).
Also check that there are spare power connectors for the additional hard
drive.
Don't forget to mention that the IDE connectors are keyed so that they
cannot be inserted the incorrect way AND the pins are fragile/easily bent
( I know as I have bent them).
If he is going to install the drive permanently into the PC, remind him
that
the securing screws holding it in place are especially short and don't go
replacing them with any others lying around as he could end up
permanently
damaging the hard drive.
Finally, when the work is completed, get him to boot into BIOS first
before
running Windows to ensure the MOBO is seeing the second drive correctly.
Alan

That is a solution I was going to suggest. The problem will be *finding* a
serial mouse. They don't sell those things anymore and haven't for several
years now.

AFAIK, there are no adapters to go from PS/2 to Serial, only the reverse.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the replies- guess I have not forgotten everything!
What do you think of the following possible solution:
Somhow find a serial mouse and use it rather than a PS2 mouse. Am I
correct that WIN98 supported a serial mouse?
thanks again....ralph


"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard
drive (IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

Gary:
There are several on ebay.
.....ralph


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
That is a solution I was going to suggest. The problem will be *finding* a
serial mouse. They don't sell those things anymore and haven't for several
years now.

AFAIK, there are no adapters to go from PS/2 to Serial, only the reverse.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the replies- guess I have not forgotten everything!
What do you think of the following possible solution:
Somhow find a serial mouse and use it rather than a PS2 mouse. Am I
correct that WIN98 supported a serial mouse?
thanks again....ralph


"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical ability
with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN 98 for a
very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has stopped
working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that the
computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single hard
drive (IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

Several what? Serial mouses? Yeah, I guess that would be one place to find
them. Actually, I probably have a couple or three in my junk pile, (well,
actually, it's an entire junk room, s.) Not sure what condition they're
in.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
Gary:
There are several on ebay.
....ralph


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
That is a solution I was going to suggest. The problem will be *finding*
a serial mouse. They don't sell those things anymore and haven't for
several years now.

AFAIK, there are no adapters to go from PS/2 to Serial, only the reverse.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"ralph" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the replies- guess I have not forgotten everything!
What do you think of the following possible solution:
Somhow find a serial mouse and use it rather than a PS2 mouse. Am I
correct that WIN98 supported a serial mouse?
thanks again....ralph


"ralph" wrote in message
...
I am trying to help someone over the phone who has some technical
ability with his 2 WIN98 (???SE) PC's. Unfortunately I have not used WIN
98 for a very long time. His problem is that his Logitech PS2 mouse has
stopped working on PC #1. It works on other machines and it appears that
the computer's PS2 connector is damaged. Both machines have a single
hard drive (IDE interface).
He needs to recover valuable data on PC #1. (Of cource he has no
backup!!).
Can he simply remove the hard drive from PC#1 and put it in PC#2
(configured as a slave on IDE1 or a master on IDE2)?
Are there any problems with this solution?
thanks....ralph

"ralph" wrote:

Alan:
You wrote: "Put both hard drives on the same IDE cable (IDE1)."
Is this better than putting the transferred hard drive on IDE2?
thanks....ralph


In my opinion using IDE2 is the preferable method, especially if the
second hard drive install is only going to be temporary.

My reasons for this a
1. It may be necessary to change the jumper on the IDE1 Master drive
in order to get the second drive to work as Slave on IDE1. This is
because some makes of drives use different jumper settings for "Stand
alone Master drive" and for "Master drive with Slave present".
2. There are occasional instances where two hard drives will not work
together properly when connected as Master and Slave on the same IDE
channel. This most often occurs when the two drives are from
different manufacturers and also there are several years between the
dates of manufacture of the two drives.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."