Replacing a failing HDD with another used one?

DeadStretch · Jan 26, 2016

I'll start by saying I am running Windows 10 and I have a 256gb SSD and a 450gb HDD.

Now Windows is popping up an error every so often saying that my HDD is failing. Ever since this error I've noticed that the HDD is loud and sometimes makes some odd noises when reading.

I am taking an unused HDD out of my mother's old Desktop and am kinda lost on the exact steps I need to take in replacing the HDD that is failing.

First I would like to completely wipe the HDD from my mother's Desktop.
Second I'd like to take everything from the failing drive and transfer it on the replacement drive.

I've searched the internet but I'm not getting anything really concrete and I am not too tech savvy to pick out the best way to go about this situation.

Thanks in advance,
Sean.

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

First....what is on that HDD? If not the OS, this will be easy. As long as you do this before it actually dies.

DeadStretch · Jan 26, 2016

My OS is on the SSD.

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

OK, so...

SSD is C drive, HDD is D or E. Correct?

The HDD is just extra stuff
Power off
Connect the new HDD
In Disk Management, delete ALL partitions on that drive
Create one new partition, format, give it a drive letter

Now you should see this drive in File Explorer.
Copy everything from the failing drive to the new drive.

Once done...
Power off
Disconnect the failing drive
In Disk Management, change the drive letter to what the old one used to be. D or E.
Done.

DeadStretch · Jan 26, 2016

This may be a dumb question how would I go about copying everything over to the new drive? I imagine it not just a simple copy and paste kind of thing?

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

DeadStretch :

Yes it is just a simple copy/paste.
Really.

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

I recommend not selecting ALL of it at once.
Just a couple of top level folders at a time.

DeadStretch · Jan 26, 2016

USAFRet :

I am getting an error during the copying.
"This action can't be completed because the file is open in another program"" The file that's open is "pagefile.sys."

Any idea what I can do? Thanks again.

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

DeadStretch :

This is why you only copy some folders, not all at once.
No, you can't copy the pagefile, or whatever folder it is in.

Move past that location, and continue copying to the new drive.

DeadStretch · Jan 26, 2016

Success!

Thanks you very much for all your speedy help.

USAFRet · Jan 26, 2016

DeadStretch :

Coolness.
Good luck.

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