Changing Computers

My ten year old computer expired(would not turn on) the other day, and I would like to remove its old hard drive(20 gig.) and put it in the new computer and use it as the secondary drive. Both the expired computer and new computer are using Window XP. There are programs and files on the old drive that I need for work etc. Isn't there some way to run these programs using the copy of XP on the old drive, or am I wishing for too much? I have a program to transfer files and programs to the new computer, but that requires the old computer to be operational.
I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks for the help.

You need something like this. Then you can remove the external hard drive and use it as an external hard drive, then transfer the files over to the new computer.

Or simply plug it in inside the "new" PC. If it is an IDE drive (highly likely) just ensure the jumpers are set correctly to slave and the "new" drive is the master. You'd end up booting in the "new" drive and could access the old drive through "my computer." Once that's done you would be able to run the programs off it just as before. Really, no enclosure needed. Possibly all you would need is an IDE cable for the drive and a molex power connector. I have done this for years. It's the least cost involved, and keeps everything in one place. (The computer case.)

Another look is- fix the power supply problem and then use it as your Hobby computer. This possibility is dependent upon your own situation (having a 2nd computer does not draw attention from a SO, etc), but I have been down-grading my laptops for years to be my latest Hobby computer.

Get a virus, no problem just wipe the drive and re-install the OS and you are good to go.

I had similar issues when I transitioned from a old 32 bit system to a new 64 bit computer.

I had a lot of great programs on the old computer that would not work on my new system and tried to hook them up with a KVM switch, but then the old computer had other issues.

I think it is best to back up your data to an external drive and when the time comes to upgrade restore your data and don't look back.

The problem is like buying a new car, but wanting to install the old seats on it because they are broken in and comfortable.

. . . You just have to step outside of your comfort zone and build a higher comfort zone with a new system.

This is a difficult one to do. First, it is easy to edit the boot.ini to point to the old installation on the second drive.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022
http://www.pcworld.com/article/14161...g_systems.html
http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/bootini.htm

However, you might run into drive letter assignment issues that could hose both systems, so make sure you run backups. I haven't messed with a setup like that in about 9 years, so I don't know for sure what other issues you might have. But it is worth a try!

The other option is to get an Ultimate Boot CD, partition the drive on the newer machine into two partitions, one with the new stuff and one with the old stuff. Copy everything from the old hard drive onto the new hard drive, and then boot to that. Or just throw GRUB or LILO on there and be done with it. But that you'd be on your own with. Or you can contact me and I can do it for you, but it would probably be cheaper to leave it as is and reinstall the applications from the old computer onto the new PC and then copy the data over.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457074.aspx

Good luck!

The easy fix would be to purchase a Apple IMAC! Problem solved.

The easy fix would be to purchase a Apple IMAC! Problem solved. Originally Posted by Daracus

That is correct.