Re-Installing everything

[Rex A. Butcher]

Hi there,

I think it is about time i re-installed the OS and all my programs. That will be some task and I don't want to be without the computer while doing it.

Is there a way that I can install the OS and programs to another disk, and when everything is up and running on the disk, swap the current C: for the new C:?

I don't have enough space to dual boot the new installation.

Many thanks,

Rex

[SpywareDr]

The easiest, safest way to install the Operating System is to a single hard drive, on a single partition.

Basic steps:

1. Power down.
   
   
2. Remove the old (working) hard drive.
   
   
3. Attach the new hard drive.
   
   
4. Boot from your Operating System CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once you have it up and running, re-attach your old hard drive as a slave (or via USB) and drag your Documents (and whatever else) across to your new hard drive.

Note that at any time you could re-attach your old hard drive and boot your old system up.

[Rex A. Butcher]

Thanks, that sounds like the way to go.

My Dell 9200 has two SATA hd's and a slot for a third. Switching a new SATA for one of the current ones (new C is no big deal, but is Master and Slave an issue with SATA. i though it was not?

Rex

[Tuttle]

There's no such thing with SATA -- it's just one drive per cable.