2 Hard drives- Format one?

mntamimi · #1 December 16th, 2002, 09:46 AM

I recently installed a second hdd in my system (w/ the help of some folks in the hardware boards

)

I am using the new drive (the slave) only as a file-drive, there is no OS installed on it. I would like to move all of the files (docs, vids, mp3's, etc...) that were on the Primary drive to the Secondary drive and then reformat the Primary, with out doing any thing to the Secondary drive. Is there any reason that I can't do this? Any pitfalls or things I should be worried about? Formatting the Primary/OS drive does not effect the Secondary?

Currently the Primary drive has a clean install of win2k on it and after the format I plan on reinstalling win2k.

Thanks.

Alfons · #2 December 16th, 2002, 03:06 PM

You can format, partition, etc one drive without it affecting the data structure of the other. Since the one you wish to keep is only a data disk then after re-installing the OS on your first disk, the data on the second will be sitting there available for your use.

If you're only moving data from W2K, why do you want to get rid of it and then reinstall it?

mntamimi · #3 December 16th, 2002, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alfons
If you're only moving data from W2K, why do you want to get rid of it and then reinstall it?

I'm not sure I fully understand your question. But, I think the answer is that I have a bit of junk on the Primary drive and was under the impression that formatting is a good way to "clean up" a system. Was I wrong? I will only be 'saving' the files themselves (well at least the important ones anyways). I dont know if that answers your question- or even if my assumptions are right. Please feel free to enlighten me, if I am misinformed.

Thanks!

Alfons · #4 December 16th, 2002, 09:34 PM

Quote:

under the impression that formatting is a good way to "clean up" a system.

Formatting a partition is certainly an effective way of doing a clean up. When you do this, you'll have nothing left in that partition and will have to re-install everything from the beginning, so that's why I asked for the reason that you wanted to get rid of your operating system. If someone provided you this advise in response to "How do I clean up my HD?", I wouldn't go back there for any advise.