Using an old Vista drive in a new Win 10 computer?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Ian The Pineapple

Ian The Pineapple

Prominent
Jul 4, 2017
14
0
510
Hello!

I have a newly-built system (Dec. 2016) with Windows 10 already on my 1TB HDD.
My old Vista PC (From 2007, my current build replaced it. Yes, it was awful using a 2007 PC in 2016) has a still-working 320GB HDD with some files on it. I was going to transfer the necessary ones over via flash drives, but the old PC just died. So I want to plug the old drive into my current build to more easily move files over, then wipe it and make it a secondary backup drive.

How would I do this? The furthest I know is plugging in the SATA cable and changing BIOS boot order, what else do I have to do?

The Vista OS is still on the old drive.
 
Solution
Ralston18
You have three immediate options with respect to accessing the data on the old 320 GB HDD.

1) Install the 320 GB HDD in an external case that can then be connected via USB to a USB port on your computer as an external drive. The external case having its own plug for power. May or may not have a switch.

2) Connect the drive directly via a SATA to USB adapter (again may need an external power source).

3) If you have the necessary room, power, and data connections available within your computer, install the 320 HDD SATA drive as another drive (i.e., Disk 1 or Disk 2). Disk 0 being the boot drive.

Generally I use option 2 as that is the most straightforward. All you need is the applicable adapter.

E.g...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Ralston18

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Oct 11, 2014
35,019
3,351
146,290
You have three immediate options with respect to accessing the data on the old 320 GB HDD.

1) Install the 320 GB HDD in an external case that can then be connected via USB to a USB port on your computer as an external drive. The external case having its own plug for power. May or may not have a switch.

2) Connect the drive directly via a SATA to USB adapter (again may need an external power source).

3) If you have the necessary room, power, and data connections available within your computer, install the 320 HDD SATA drive as another drive (i.e., Disk 1 or Disk 2). Disk 0 being the boot drive.

Generally I use option 2 as that is the most straightforward. All you need is the applicable adapter.

E.g.:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U6JEKVA?gclid=CKefqYL99dQCFZ6CswodNegHfQ

Or more likely:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Premium-High-Quality-USB-2-0-to-External-IDE-SATA-Converter-Cable-HDD-Kit-with-AC-Power-Adapter/170794997?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1426&adid=22222222227072977341&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=184870015623&wl4=pla-289168955923&wl5=9007869&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112550019&wl11=online&wl12=170794997&wl13=&veh=sem

HDD's need more power and a separate power supply or PSU power connection is best.

USB power may be insufficient for HDD's.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom