How do I replace IDE hard drive with SATA?

FloridaPapa · 05-14-2008, 06:28 AM

I hope I posted this in the correct forum.

My current master hard drive C: (WD 160GB IDE drive) is almost full and starting to show signs of impending failure. I bought a new 500GB WD SATA hard drive to replace it.

My question: Can I do the swap without having to do a clean install of Windows XP Pro and all the other software and hardware currently installed? If so, how? Or, is a clean install the preferred way to go?

My GIGABYTE GA-K8N motherboard supports both IDE and SATA. I also have a slave WD IDE 120GB drive currently installed (drive D:). More info... Actually, I purchased two WD 500GB SATA drives and want to install both, one as drive C: and the other as a another secondary drive (no RAID), but I also want to keep the 120GB IDE drive installed as another place to back up files. Is this all possible?

Thank you (anyone) who can help me.

Rob 1 · 05-14-2008, 08:35 AM

Acronis True Image home edition.

Then clone the old drive to the new drive.

It will be an identical copy of the old drive when you're done.

Then just disconnect the old drive, and pitch it.

05-14-2008, 06:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
FloridaPapa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Originally from Northeast US; now living in hot & humid Central Florida Posts: 44 OS: Win XP Pro	How do I replace IDE hard drive with SATA? I hope I posted this in the correct forum. My current master hard drive C: (WD 160GB IDE drive) is almost full and starting to show signs of impending failure. I bought a new 500GB WD SATA hard drive to replace it. My question: Can I do the swap without having to do a clean install of Windows XP Pro and all the other software and hardware currently installed? If so, how? Or, is a clean install the preferred way to go? My GIGABYTE GA-K8N motherboard supports both IDE and SATA. I also have a slave WD IDE 120GB drive currently installed (drive D:). More info... Actually, I purchased two WD 500GB SATA drives and want to install both, one as drive C: and the other as a another secondary drive (no RAID), but I also want to keep the 120GB IDE drive installed as another place to back up files. Is this all possible? Thank you (anyone) who can help me.

05-14-2008, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob 1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 307 OS: XP Pro	Re: How do I replace IDE hard drive with SATA? Acronis True Image home edition. Then clone the old drive to the new drive. It will be an identical copy of the old drive when you're done. Then just disconnect the old drive, and pitch it.