Switching C: with Backup drive

eric_pianist · 08-26-2006, 04:36 AM

I currently have a C: drive that is nearly at capacity (67.5 of 70.9 GB used). This is probably due to all the video and music files I have saved there. I bought a hard drive to use as backup that has 76.6 GB of available space. Though it physically exists as an external drive, it is connected and recognized as an internal drive by my computer (F:). My question is this: is it possible to switch the two drives so that the F: drive becomes my primary hard drive and the C: drive becomes the backup? I suppose I might want to rename them, since the C: drive is so standard as the primary drive. Please keep in mind that while I follow directions well, I have no real knowledge of computer programming language and have trouble even discussing these matters with any clarity. Is this possible, and what software would be required to make a change like this? I appreciate any help you might be able to give. Feel free to ask me whatever questions you need in order to respond. Thank you so much in advance for any help.

chauffeur2 · 08-26-2006, 05:11 AM

Hello eric_pianist, and Welcome to TSF!

Generally speaking you cannot change the drive letter of the primary system drive; namely, the C: Drive. [ Not within Windows® System Management.]
Having said that, there are a couple of ways around it....
One possible method would be to just transfer the files that you want from the C: Drive directly onto the F: Drive, as it is already recognised as a 'Slave'. The system files [WINDOWS & Program Files] would have to remain on the current C: Drive, or else the whole deal will fall apart.

By the way, that external F: Drive is probably being recognised as a 'mass storage device', which is removeable with the "Add/remove Hardware Wizard", and the 'X' that appears in the system tray [bottom right] of your desktop, when its plugged in to a USB port. This means that it is not a permanent fixture on your computer, and therefore not capable of being used as the primary boot drive.
Another way would be to use a cloning program; such as, XXXClone, or Norton Ghost, and create a 'clone' or mirror image of your current C: Drive onto the external F: Drive. Once you have done that, you would then be able to free up some space on the C: Drive by simply deleting unnecessary files.
A third alternative suggestion would be to transfer your music and video files to DVD, and use the external drive to backup the C: Drive's system files using a cloning program as I just mentioned.

Hopefully this has given you 'some food for thought'; please post back if you have any other thoughts or queries.

08-26-2006, 04:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
eric_pianist Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 1 OS: WinXP	Switching C: with Backup drive I currently have a C: drive that is nearly at capacity (67.5 of 70.9 GB used). This is probably due to all the video and music files I have saved there. I bought a hard drive to use as backup that has 76.6 GB of available space. Though it physically exists as an external drive, it is connected and recognized as an internal drive by my computer (F:). My question is this: is it possible to switch the two drives so that the F: drive becomes my primary hard drive and the C: drive becomes the backup? I suppose I might want to rename them, since the C: drive is so standard as the primary drive. Please keep in mind that while I follow directions well, I have no real knowledge of computer programming language and have trouble even discussing these matters with any clarity. Is this possible, and what software would be required to make a change like this? I appreciate any help you might be able to give. Feel free to ask me whatever questions you need in order to respond. Thank you so much in advance for any help.

08-26-2006, 05:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hello eric_pianist, and Welcome to TSF! Generally speaking you cannot change the drive letter of the primary system drive; namely, the C: Drive. [ Not within Windows® System Management.] Having said that, there are a couple of ways around it.... One possible method would be to just transfer the files that you want from the C: Drive directly onto the F: Drive, as it is already recognised as a 'Slave'. The system files [WINDOWS & Program Files] would have to remain on the current C: Drive, or else the whole deal will fall apart. By the way, that external F: Drive is probably being recognised as a 'mass storage device', which is removeable with the "Add/remove Hardware Wizard", and the 'X' that appears in the system tray [bottom right] of your desktop, when its plugged in to a USB port. This means that it is not a permanent fixture on your computer, and therefore not capable of being used as the primary boot drive. Another way would be to use a cloning program; such as, XXXClone, or Norton Ghost, and create a 'clone' or mirror image of your current C: Drive onto the external F: Drive. Once you have done that, you would then be able to free up some space on the C: Drive by simply deleting unnecessary files. A third alternative suggestion would be to transfer your music and video files to DVD, and use the external drive to backup the C: Drive's system files using a cloning program as I just mentioned. Hopefully this has given you 'some food for thought'; please post back if you have any other thoughts or queries. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!