I have a Windows 2000 computer that I've been having serious trouble with. Since there doesn't seem to be an easy solution, I'd like to remove the hard drive and install it in my Windows XP computer, just to remove the important data before reformatting. How do I go about doing this?

just to clarify:

you want to make this drive a second (slave) drive onto a functioning xp system?

saving the data but deleting the 2000 OS?

Originally Posted by jephree

just to clarify:

you want to make this drive a second (slave) drive onto a functioning xp system?

saving the data but deleting the 2000 OS?

Excellent question jephree

Yes. I would like to make this a second drive on a functioning XP system. ...I think. I'm really not sure how to go about this. I'm just speculating, so this could quite well be unrealistic or overcomplicated. Here's my thinking.
I believe I'll be able to read the drive if it is installed as a secondary drive. It seems that either there is a missing or corrupted file that prevents it from starting up correctly. I'm really not worried about it. I just want to remove some (personal/school/work) files. After I've removed the data, I'll reinstall the hard drive in the original computer and upgrade to XP. I just need some direction in how to temporarily install a primary hard drive as a secondary drive.
Any help would be incredibly appreciated.

Does your 2000 system have a CD burner?

If so use some RW CD's and transfer data from one machine to the other.

Otherwise does your IDE/ATA "ribbon" cable have 2 "plugs"? The end one would be the Master & the middle one for Slave. Have jumpers set to cable select. This set-up will allow you to transfer what you want.

If you have more questions let us know what is your Hard Drive make? I can send more particulars then.

I appreciate the quick response.

First, the hard drive (from the 2000 computer) is made by Maxtor.

I do have a CD burner, but can't use it because of the startup trouble I have described in another thread (linked to in first post of this thread).

As for what you recommended, I'll have to wait until after work tomorrow until I have the time to get to work on this. But I do have a question or two. (I'm quite hardware ignorant.)

What is the IDE/ATA ribbon?
Jumpers set to cable select?

What I do see is...two items coming from the hard drive. The first is a plug that connects four wires (two black, one yellow, one orange). The second is a grey ribbon that travels directly to the motherboard, but has a plug in the middle, which has been secluded by the ribbon somehow being clipped around it.

I suspect that this grey ribbon is the IDE/ATA ribbon you're talking about. That the XP computer will have the same thing when I take a look inside it? I just need to hook up the 2000 hard drive using that middle plug?

If that's correct, what does it take for the XP computer to actually read it when I start it up? Will it see it automatically?

Again, thanks for your help. I'm very grateful.

Yes to all your questions. Put your "2000" Drive in the middle slave position and yes it should be seen just like that and you should be able to pass the data you want.

If the XP machine has a single "plug" ribbon then just use the "2000" ribbon as well.

Jumpers are little plastic pin covers on the back of the drive. They set to master slave or cable select which is no jumper (i think).

I know a maxtor page that shows all this and will find and post here asap.

You're amazing. I'm really anxious to do this and get it done, but I don't want to be passing out at work tomorrow.

Thanks.

oops was wrong about cable select + no jumper, but here is the link

factory shipped is usualley set to cable select.

you have adobe reader?

Basic jumper settings for Maxtor ATA Hard Drives

just an afterthought:

as you are changing plugs make sure the "red edge" of the ribbon is next to the power supply side (that 4 wire plug you mentioned)