I want to install my old primary hard drive with (WindowsXP Pro installed) into my new computer with Windows 8.1 installed on a new SSD drive. I want to use the old drive (SATA) with all my existing documents and data so that I can access those files when needed. Dell techs inform me that I cannot have two operating systems in the same computer. I would also like to be able to move my programs from my old drive to my new SSD drive.
How to disable WinXP installed on primary drive so it can be used as a secondary drive with all other data intact.
- Thread starter jerryjam
- Start date
Solution
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,445
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You don't. You move anything you want to keep off the old XP drive, wipe that drive, and use it as a secondary. Moving things back if you want.
And the dell tech was completely wrong (no surprise ther) in saying you cannot have two OS's on the same PC. It's called dualboot.
However, they do have to be set up properly.
And the dell tech was completely wrong (no surprise ther) in saying you cannot have two OS's on the same PC. It's called dualboot.
However, they do have to be set up properly.
photonboy
Titan
- Jun 20, 2006
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Instructions:
1. Attach the SSD and unhook the HDD
2. Install Windows on the SSD, plus drivers, software etc.
3. Attach HDD and boot. You can CHOOSE which drive you boot to using the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Boot into XP if you have any data that needs to be EXPORTED from a program like browser Favorites. Save that info to a folder on a Thumb drive or somewhere temporarily safe.
Once satisfied you won't need any more data either FORMAT the entire drive (all data gone) once you've booted into Windows 8 or delete the main Windows folder. If possible, I recommend doing a FULL FORMAT which will erase all data and build up a bad sector table.
5. You should now have Windows 8 on the SSD and an HDD with no copy of XP.
6. Create a BACKUP IMAGE of the SSD using Acronis True Image or similar and store it on the HDD. Make a 2nd backup that you periodically replace to update.
1. Attach the SSD and unhook the HDD
2. Install Windows on the SSD, plus drivers, software etc.
3. Attach HDD and boot. You can CHOOSE which drive you boot to using the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Boot into XP if you have any data that needs to be EXPORTED from a program like browser Favorites. Save that info to a folder on a Thumb drive or somewhere temporarily safe.
Once satisfied you won't need any more data either FORMAT the entire drive (all data gone) once you've booted into Windows 8 or delete the main Windows folder. If possible, I recommend doing a FULL FORMAT which will erase all data and build up a bad sector table.
5. You should now have Windows 8 on the SSD and an HDD with no copy of XP.
6. Create a BACKUP IMAGE of the SSD using Acronis True Image or similar and store it on the HDD. Make a 2nd backup that you periodically replace to update.
Thanks for the answers. I already have Win8.1 OS, drivers, and security installed on the 500GB SSD. I also have my old drive installed (750GB) and a 3.5TB fast hard drive installed inside the new computer but both are disconnected waiting for new SATAIII cables to arrive tomorrow. I will be using the 3.5TB HDD to store eveything except programs and will only be using the old drive to access legacy data and programs. I do not want to format the old drive or move everything to the new secondary drive as I have already coped it to my cloud storage for backup. I think I will just change the boot record on the old drive after I have reinstalled all of my needed software programs onto the SSD. The old HDD was defragged every night and I ran a full chkdsk before removing it from my nine year old Dell Optiplex GX280. I have three of these and plan to make the new computer kind of like a server as I retire about five older Dell computers.
I would really like to find a way to move my programs to the new SSD because I purchased MS Office XP Pro software from Dell and it is on the Dell CDs and will be difficult for me to find. Other programs will take months to reinstall using CDs. FYI I am trying to abandon MS and force myself to use Google Docs, Sheete, Forms, ect and I plan on building myself a Chrome OS PC.
I would really like to find a way to move my programs to the new SSD because I purchased MS Office XP Pro software from Dell and it is on the Dell CDs and will be difficult for me to find. Other programs will take months to reinstall using CDs. FYI I am trying to abandon MS and force myself to use Google Docs, Sheete, Forms, ect and I plan on building myself a Chrome OS PC.
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