so I'm wondering...

[badassmak]

...whats the best way to transfer files between hd's.


I have a new machine with a 40 gig hd, running windows xp PRO
I have an old machine with a 20 gig hd, running windows 98se.

I want to be able to use the older drive to run internet apps, as well as OS (XP PRO), and anything but the recording end of stuff. The new drive I want to reserve for recording purposes only.

The older drive, as it is, has a shitload of mp3's on it that I want to keep.

So what I am thinking is, I have to transfer all the MP3's (and whatever other files I wanna keep) to my new hardrive. (is this possible even with different os's?). Then format the old drive, and put all the MP3's back on there. It definately sounds like a lot of work first off, but Im not sure there is anyway around it.

Other things of note: The harddrives are in 2 different computers, should I just take the old one and stick it in the new machine? making transfers easier?...and if this is the case, is it as easy as simply dragging the MP3 folder over to the new drive?...

...I realize there is possibly a can of worms involved with this, but I have nothing but time on my hands here.

 

[webstop]

You've answered your own question.
Assuming that both of your drives are formated with FAT files system, remove a new drive from its computer and connect it to the empty connector on IDE cable of Windows 98 box. Make sure that jumpers on both drives are set in accordance with their master/slave position. If in doubt, set both drives to Cable Select.
Depending on how old your Windows 98 machine is, its BIOS will either recognise a new drive automatically or you may have to manually set it.
If everything is set correctly Windows 98 should see a new drive and you can use Windows Explorer to move files around.
Alternatively, you can move you old drive into Windows XP box in the same manner.

 

[Emeric]

Your approach sounds fine.

- Connect the 20GB to a ribbon in your new machine (jumpered accordingly, slave / master etc).
- Move all the mp3's over to the 40GB (your XP OS can read FAT32 if you used NTFS, gets trickier the other way around)
- Install the 20GB as a primary master, unplug the 40GB.
- Boot with the xp disk and format the drive, install the OS
- Re-connect the 40GB as secondary master.
- Move the mp3's back to the 20GB
- Format the 20GB

Unless you have more than a few GB's of mp3's, I'd just burn them to CD, or keep them in a folder on the 40GB.