Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Recovering data from hard drive help needed

Jul 13, 2005 11:59PM PDT

I had a 4 year old Dell Dimension and the motherboard fried last weekend. I bought a new Dell Dimension that should be delivered in the next couple of days. I need to get data from my old hard drive to my new computer. Is this a difficult process? Or should I just slip it in the new computer for extra storage. My new computer has an 80 gig hard drive and the old would add another 20 gig. Any help or suggestions is great appreciated.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
What happened to your backups?
Jul 14, 2005 12:15AM PDT

Just asking.

Many just add the drive and scrape off the old files.

Bob

- Collapse -
Backups
Jul 14, 2005 12:29AM PDT

Well, I have to admit I learned a lesson on this one. I have some files backed up such as Money, but I didn't back up mp3 files,word/excel files, pictures, etc. Yes, I'm an idiot.

So adding the drive might be a good choice then?

- Collapse -
Not the "i" word please.
Jul 14, 2005 12:32AM PDT

This is the usual lesson for most.

-> Yes. Adding the drive is the usual recovery method.

If it's something you want to keep, you don't keep your only copy on a hard disk.

Bob

- Collapse -
tips
Jul 14, 2005 12:37AM PDT

Any tips on the process of adding it to the new computer? My guess is I should take it to someone that knows what they're doing. Thanks.

- Collapse -
Should be easy.
Jul 14, 2005 12:43AM PDT

I just double check the drive is set to cable select and add it to the ide connections and then a power plug. Very entry level PC work.

You can find many pictures and procedures about this on Google.

Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks
Jul 14, 2005 12:44AM PDT

Thanks for your quick/useful replies to both of my discussions.