Just wondering the answer to a simple question. If I want to add a second harddrive to my computer, does the hardrive need to be formatted first or can it just be taken out of another computer and added as is. I'v never actually done this and was wondeing if it would work. Thanks = )

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it depends if you need the data from the HD, then formatting it will render it empty,
and you don't want that. moving HD from one PC to another PC would be OK, and
no further configuration is required IF it is autodetected (otherwise you need to tweak
the BIOS), AND if it is your PRIMARY HD. you can still add it as a "slave" HD but you
may have to modify jumper settings in that HD to make it work as a slave. settings
vary from HD to HD, you may have to ask someone to do it if you're not familiar with it.

 

 

 

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umm.. if there is an os on it, i suggest moving the files you need over to the good harddrive, and then after thats done, format it. if there are 2 os's on one sys(not properly installed, just installed on the hdd) it could screw up the computer.

better said, look at lib2day's reply, im just kinda adding to it..

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pikaz, ALL OS REQUIRES A FILESYSTEM IN ORDER TO SAVE AND LOAD FILES. THIS INCLUDES MAC, LINUX, SKYOS, WINDOWS AND OTHER OSES. IT'S HOW THE OS CAN MANAGE FILES. FORMATTING WILL SIMPLY WRITE A FILESYSTEM TO YOUR MACHINE. IN ORDER TO "INSTALL" THE HARD DRIVE, THE BEST WAY IS TO SELECT AUTOMATIC FOR YOUR COMPUTER TO DETECT IT, SO NEXT TIME WHEN YOU PULL IT OUT, THE COMPUTER (OR BIOS) WON'T SEARCH FOR IT.

xboxrulz

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Dont forget to change ur second Hard Drive to slave otherwise your 2 Hard Drives will conflict and your Computer wont work.

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that is very true IvoMan, to change it to slave, please refer to your hard-drive's menu!

xboxrulz

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The Primary Master hdd is the one your computer boots from by default. An hdd can be added on the other 3 channels with whatever files or OS on it and won't cause a problem. Windows and Linux will automatically detect it and have it ready to use, in Linux you may need to mount it or do a little bit of setting up first.
If you have an OS on the disk it will not boot up, not unless you install a custom bootloader. If you plug it in as the Primary Master, then it will boot and go through a long process of detecting all the hardware etc, and probably not end up working correctly.

why on earth are these messages center alligned...

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