Question about computers

Totally off topic but figured I'd ask before taking time to go join a computer forum.
I put together a pc out of working parts I've saved from computers I found scrapping. Have it working good but want to add a 2nd harddrive that came out of another computer I found. They're both IDE drives but have different operating systems. Do I have to install the os that's on the master harddrive on the slave drive for it to work or will it work with them being different?
Thanks in advance

Your only off-topic by being in this section.

Maybe post it over in the ewaste section. Might get faster replies.

No need to join another forum, the answers our here, you just may have to wait for one of the computer whiz kids to see your post.

Good luck!

PS - I'm no mod so I can't say your off topic by putting it in this section. Tossing this in the ewaste section though would be more fitting.

Sirscrapalot - If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library. - Frank Zappa

Lol, thanks. Just figured it was "off topic" from scrapping. No harm intended. I'll give it a try. Thanks again!

Awesome. No harm was meant from my post.

Folks forget we got all those sections. I know I do. Constantly gotta remind myself to check to make sure it's in the right section.

Not like I ever go off topic or anything.



Sirscrapalot - I've never hijacked a thread...they all came willingly.

You can install them with what's on them for legacy operating systems. Even XP will sometimes boot. For Vista and newer, you'll likely encounter a 7B BSOD (Storage Drivers).

For Linux OS's, it'll work great! I've moved my hard drive to 3 PCs, and they all have booted without a hitch.

For IDE drives, you'll want to check your jumper settings.

Do you want to dual boot, or do you just want the second hard drive for storage?

Originally Posted by bcrepurposing

no. is the short answer.

the long answer is they preffer to have same file system (FAT, NTFS, etc.) this is not same as operating system.

if however you want to be able to boot to and use both and they are not same family (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, etc.) you do need to reinstall and make repairs. oldest to newest for order of install.

just as a storage device they may require the jumper on drive to be moved around to proper setting such as cs ( cable select ) master / slave, & primary /slave. it can be time consuming and frustrating to get it working properly but can be done.

google is your friend here and you will find a step by step guide if you look. this is a common question with alot of info availible.

i could post links to several tuitorials but due to them being to other forums i will not do so out of respect to the owner of this one.

hope this helps.

/\ This and as long as you can see the drive in your OS, and all you want to do is use it for storage, the quickest way to prepare the drive is to format it. Once formatted, it will be usable as a hard drive on your computer.

What if i want to add a hd to my Osborne 1? I have the original modem cable can i connect it to my home wireless network? Hard wired to the router? Id also like to connect my Commodore 64 and TI99 and have a working vintage network.

Originally Posted by badkarma506

What if i want to add a hd to my Osborne 1? I have the original modem cable can i connect it to my home wireless network? Hard wired to the router? Id also like to connect my Commodore 64 and TI99 and have a working vintage network.

I didn't think anyone had a working Osborne anymore(hadn't seen one in like twenty years). To the issue at hand. It's very possible to create a network made up of different vintage hardware but you would never be able to take it online. Your speeds would be terrible and not many providers run internet over phone lines anymore(Even DSL and EDSL is moving to cat lines).

Originally Posted by logansryche

I didn't think anyone had a working Osborne anymore(hadn't seen one in like twenty years). To the issue at hand. It's very possible to create a network made up of different vintage hardware but you would never be able to take it online. Your speeds would be terrible and not many providers run internet over phone lines anymore(Even DSL and EDSL is moving to cat lines).

Just for the record, I still have a legacy AOL account I pay for that still has a phone modem call-up connection available.

Originally Posted by matador

You can install them with what's on them for legacy operating systems. Even XP will sometimes boot. For Vista and newer, you'll likely encounter a 7B BSOD (Storage Drivers).

For Linux OS's, it'll work great! I've moved my hard drive to 3 PCs, and they all have booted without a hitch.

For IDE drives, you'll want to check your jumper settings.

Do you want to dual boot, or do you just want the second hard drive for storage?

They're both ide. Just wanted to use 2nd as storage

Originally Posted by Phantoms001

Originally Posted by matador

You can install them with what's on them for legacy operating systems. Even XP will sometimes boot. For Vista and newer, you'll likely encounter a 7B BSOD (Storage Drivers).

For Linux OS's, it'll work great! I've moved my hard drive to 3 PCs, and they all have booted without a hitch.

For IDE drives, you'll want to check your jumper settings.

Do you want to dual boot, or do you just want the second hard drive for storage?

If he doesn't know how to install a 2nd hard drive I seriously doubt he has any idea what a dual boot is.


The easiest way is set the jumpers on your hard drives to "cable select", install windows, then format the 2nd drive, you'll be all set.

If you already have windows on the computer, set the jumpers to cable select, boot the computer, format the 2nd drive (not the c: drive) and your be off and running.

You can set the drives as a "master" and a "slave" but most of the time it isn't necessary. The computer already recognizes a master/slave by its position on the cable.

Awesome. This makes it sound easier to do lol. Gonna try it all out tonight. Thanks!